The GIST: We’re only two games into the WNBA Finals, but as No. 1 NY Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said, there’s already a winner: women’s basketball. NY’s 80–66 Game 2 win over the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx was the most-watched Finals showdown in 23 years.

• And it’s just the beginning. Here’s how NY evened the thrilling best-of-five series on Sunday and a preview of what’s to come during tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 3 in Minneapolis.

Liberty’s Breanna Stewart records history-making seven steals in Game 2, NY defense prevails: Fueled by a record-setting 18,064 fans at Barclays, the Libs dominated Sunday’s Game 2, thanks in part to a season-high scoring performance from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (20 points) and lockdown defense from Stewie, who was tasked with guarding her pal and former collegiate teammate, Lynx star Napheesa Collier. All business.

Even at 1-1, the series now shifts to Minnesota: The Lynx went down early in both Games 1 and 2 and trailed by as many as 17 points on Sunday. Finding a rhythm early (especially in shooting the three) will be imperative on their home floor — looking at you, Lynx Game 1 hero Courtney Williams.

The GIST: And then there were four. The best-of-seven championship series are well underway, with two spots in the World Series — one from the American League (AL) and one from the National League (NL) — up for grabs. Here’s who’s knocking it out of the park as October baseball rolls on.

NY Yankees take commanding 2-0 ALCS lead over Cleveland Guardians: The Bronx Bombers turned in another all-around team performance in last night’s 6–3 Game 2 win, rallying behind a strong start from top pitcher Gerrit Cole and slugger Aaron Judge’s first home run of the postseason to put themselves two wins away from a record-extending 41st World Series appearance.

• Today’s an off day before things pick back up in Cleveland with tomorrow’s 5:08 p.m. ET Game 3. Guards fans will certainly be hoping a day of rest helps the bats come alive at home.

NY Mets even series with LA Dodgers ahead of tonight’s 8:08 p.m. ET Game 3 in New York: These NLCS foes split two high-powered games (LA won Game 1 9–0 and the Mets roared back 7–3 in Game 2). The offensive stars (Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts and Met Francisco Lindor) shined in Games 1 and 2, but all eyes are on the pitching as the series shifts to Queens.

• NY has the better starting pitching rotation and will send stout hurler Luis Severino to the mound, while LA counters with a strong bullpen. Which one will gain the edge tonight?

It takes a village to level the playing field, but turns out, our village is 1 million GISTers strong — so it’s time to celebrate. To commemorate reaching the 1 million subscriber mark, we’ve launched a limited edition “Bet on Women” t-shirt collection that honors power, strength, and resilience.

• Click here to pre-order your shirts and let the world know: When you bet on women, everyone wins.

The GIST: Sharpen your skates because, before pre-season mini camps get underway soon, the PWHL released the Year Two schedule yesterday, with the action set to begin on November 30th. While waiting for puck drop, let’s break down the league’s sophomore schedule by the numbers.

90: The total number of games on the 2024–25 schedule. The Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, NY Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres will each play 30 regular-season games, an increase from the 24 played in the league’s debut season.

Three: The number of international breaks to account for the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour (December 9th through 16th), the Canada-USA Rivalry Series (February 3rd through 10th), and the 2025 Women’s World Championship (April 3rd through 25th). So much hockey, so little time.

8,140: The number of seats at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, the new home of the Sceptres. Toronto played most of last season’s home games at the 2,500-seat Mattamy Athletic Centre, but after selling out season ticket memberships for the second straight year, it was time to move on to bigger and better.

18: As in the 18th of December, when the Sirens will play their first home game at the Prudential Center, home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Numerous game venues were left off the initial schedule release, signaling that the PWHL might build off last season’s success in Detroit and Pittsburgh and test out hosting games at more neutral sites and NHL rinks. Yes, please.

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It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football. The upcoming Netflix documentary drops on November 1st and follows Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup win and the game-changing movement it sparked.

This article about the growth in women’s sports, but the attitude check needed as new fans enter the fold.

By using The GIST’s job board, of course. Featuring positions with leagues, teams, tech and media companies, and more, there’s truly something for every skill set.