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The GIST: The WNBA is growing for the first time since 2008. The league announced yesterday that a Bay Area expansion team will officially hit the courts in 2025, with rumors swirling that another new squad is also in the works. What ever happened to predictability?

The details: The W’s 13th team will share both a home court and ownership with the Golden State Warriors, one of the most successful (and highest valued) NBA franchises. It’s been 25 years since a pro women’s basketball team called the Bay Area home, but the region is a growing hub for women’s sports, boasting numerous successful NCAA programs and, come 2024, the NWSL’s Bay FC.

• But what will this new team be called? “WNBA Golden State” is the current placeholder, but that simply lacks inspiration. Scroll on and share a creative take with us — you just might make it into our next newsletter.

What’s next: The W wasn’t quite done breaking the internet — Portland will reportedly also land an expansion franchise, bringing the league to an even 14 teams in 2025. WNBA Golden State and PDX would likely join the Western Conference, moving the Minnesota Lynx to the East.

• While the West Coast is clearly winning the expansion battle, there are still other cities in the mix. Philadelphia is rumored to be a potential site, and while Toronto has suddenly pulled out of the race, the Canadian demand for the game simply cannot be ignored.

The GIST: There’s no dust left on the diamond after all four best-of-three Wild Card (WC) series ended in sweeps. Next up, tomorrow’s best-of-five Division Series Game 1s, where the top two teams in each league — American League (AL) and National League (NL) — will make their postseason debuts after enjoying a WC bye. More starpower, incoming.

(AL) No. 5 Texas Rangers: vs. No. 1 Baltimore Orioles, 1:03 p.m. ET: If you like pitching, this is the matchup for you. The Rangers staff dominated their way to the team’s first playoff series win in 12 years, but they’re rewarded with a date against the 101-win Os, who boast a top-10 team ERA. Adding to the excitement, these squads split their regular-season meetings. Spicy.

(AL) No. 3 Minnesota Twins vs. No. 2 Houston Astros, 4:45 p.m. ET: Fresh off their first playoff series dub in the iPhone era (aka 2002), this one’s giving David vs. Goliath, with the Twins set to take on the defending champ and power-hitting Astros. That said, Minnesota did win the regular-season series 4-2.

(NL) No. 4 Philadelphia Phillies vs. No. 1 Atlanta Braves, 6:07 p.m. ET: It’ll be a bad day to be a baseball when these two explosive offenses meet for an electric NL East battle, a rematch of last year’s NLDS. The Phillies and their lockdown pitching staff danced their way through the WC, but can they tame an Atlanta squad that tied the MLB record for home runs in a season?

(NL) No. 6 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. No. 2 LA Dodgers, 9:20 p.m. ET: Call ’em the comeback kids — the DBacks slithered back from deficits in their WC Games 1 and 2 to reach their first NLDS since 2017. Their opponent? The juggernaut Dodgers, who are making their 11th straight postseason appearance and boast the second best offense in baseball. *gulps*

Eight MLB postseason teams are still chasing a World Series victory, but one squad is already posting championship-worthy Ws: Topps, the OG sports card creator.

Topps is all about honoring the game’s trailblazing women with their very own collectible cards.

• One of the barrier-breaking gals that earned her way into the Topps rotation? Kim Ng, the first woman to be named the general manager of an MLB team. Can’t add to cart quick enough.

The Americans edged Brazil and France to secure their record seventh straight world championship on Wednesday. The win also gives the GOAT her 33rd major championship medal, making her the most decorated gymnast ever, a record she can extend when she goes for her sixth individual all-around gold today. Legendary.

• On the men’s side, 19-year-old Fred Richard became the youngest individual medalist in U.S. history with yesterday’s all-around bronze win.

Following the league’s investigation into Hamby’s social media allegations that she was discriminated against by her former team in relation to her pregnancy, the current LA Spark filed a lawsuit including those same claims yesterday.

While we’re still waiting on deets about the 2026 FIFA women’s World Cup (*eye roll*), FIFA announced on Wednesday that Morocco, Portugal, and Spain will host the 24th edition of the tournament, but to commemorate the World Cup’s 100th anniversary, the first three matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

⚽ NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. OL Reign — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — CBS

• These squads are both fighting to secure their playoff spots, but this one will be all about Reign legend Megan Rapinoe, who’ll be playing in her final regular-season home game. Prep the tissues.

🎓🏈 NCAA football: No. 12 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Texas — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET — ABC

• Both squads are still undefeated heading into this highly anticipated Red River Rivalry showdown — something’s gotta give.

👟 Chicago Marathon — Sunday at 8:20 a.m. ET — NBC Chicago

• On your mark, get set, go…check out the 45th edition of this annual race in the Windy City, the fifth of six World Marathon Majors.

🏎️ F1: Qatar Grand Prix — Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — ESPN

• After a two-week break, see if Red Bull’s Max Verstappen can clinch his third title in a busy weekend, starting with tomorrow’s sprint race ahead of Sunday’s 57-lap main event. Vroom vroom.

🏈 NFL: Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers — Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC

• Giddy up for a Sunday Night Football NFC rivalry clash featuring two of the hottest teams in the league. The undefeated 49ers have been rolling, but them ’Boys from the Big D will be looking to avenge last season’s divisional round exit.

Looking for a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Why not restock your Corona supply. It’s not just the perfect cerveza for tailgates and MLB — it’s also Mexico’s favorite beer and a symbol of national pride.

• And if you’re looking to keep it light 21 days into the celebration, try Corona Premier, Corona’s iconic light option. ¡Salud!

With all the buzz around the WNBA’s expansion, we want to know: What do you think the Bay Area’s team name should be? Reply to this email with your best idea.

On Wednesday, we asked which women’s sports game Taylor Swift should watch and the results were tighter than ever. There was a tie between the WNBA and NWSL at 33% each, while 20% voted PWHL and 14% said Athlete’s Unlimited. Hope to see you on the bleachers soon, our fearless queen.