The GIST: As discussed on yesterday’s episode of The GIST of It, less than 24 hours after the WNBA Finals final whistle, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced on Monday that they’re opting out of their historic 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). These women mean business — let’s hoop to it.

The priorities: The WNBPA will push for an equity-based economic model to build on the players’ 10% share of league revenue, while additional points of negotiation will include professional standards (no children’s birthday parties here) and retirement, pregnancy, and family planning benefits. Yes, please.

The complexity: The NBA has been subsidizing the WNBA for years, which has allowed the W to take millions of dollars in losses as it continues to build — but because of this, the WNBA only controls 42% of its cap table. The NBA controls another 42% and an investment group that includes Nike owns the remaining 16% after a $75M capital raise in 2022.

• The W’s diluted equity stake is notable because, despite the overall increase in revenue, less than half of those earnings are actually flowing back into the league, meaning there’s a gap between what’s economically feasible and the multiple comma salaries players deserve.

Looking ahead: The WNBPA has until the end of next season to strike a deal with the league, but according to current ESPN analyst (and former W hooper) Chiney Ogwumike, the players are in no rush to finalize a deal and would consider a work stoppage if necessary. What we do know is that the league wins when its players do — watch this space.

*P.S. Want to learn more about the business of women’s sports? Subscribe to our three-times weekly sports biz newsletter.

The GIST: The quest for the 2024 MLS Cup is officially underway, but while you’ll have to wait until Friday to see Lionel Messi’s MLS postseason debut with Eastern Conference top-seed Inter Miami CF, fantastic postseason footy is already…afoot. Let’s kick it.

How it works: The playoffs begin with a whirlwind 48-hour single-elimination Wild Card round, which began last night and wraps tonight. The Wild Card operates like the NBA’s play-in tournament and sees the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences battle on their respective coasts to clinch the final two Round One spots.

• Round One is best-of-three and begins on Friday, possibly lasting until November 10th. In Round One, the winner of each Wild Card game will face the top seed in their conference, the No. 2 seed will play the No. 7 seed, and so on.
• After that, it’s back to single-elimination for the Conference Semis and Finals, with the winning teams from the East and West battling for the MLS Cup on December 7th. The soccer truly never stops.

The Wild Card games: No. 9 Atlanta United clinched the Eastern Conference Wild Card berth last night, topping No. 8 CF Montréal 5-4 in penalties after the Canadian squad’s tremendous second-half comeback evened the score at 2–2 in regulation. It’s all about how you finish.

• Wednesday is for the West Coast with No. 8 Vancouver Whitecaps FC taking on the No. 9 Portland Timbers at 10:30 p.m. ET.
• Though the ever-consistent Whitecaps are the higher seed, the game will be played in Rose City due to a scheduling conflict, giving the inconsistent but recently victorious Timbers an unexpected postseason pick-me-up.

It’s starting to get a little colder out there, so now’s the time to spoil yourself with a stay for two in one of the world’s most unique and gorgeous destinations: Tulum, Mexico. Vamos!

• Win a three-night stay in Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya’s beach resort and get swept away by their beautiful beaches, picture-perfect palm trees, and crystal-clear waters.

No time to waste — enter to win today.

CPR. Chelsea FC captain Millie Bright is on a mission to bust taboos around giving CPR to women with the #CPRbra.

The Sports Gossip Show, a pod that digs into the sometimes messy off-field lives of athletes. Spill the tea every week with hosts Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder.

This article on the women’s sports merchandise shortfall. Even during the WNBA’s massive 2024 season, fans struggled to find their favorite players’ gear.