The GIST - What, like it’s hard?

No bad luck here ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Sports News
From The GIST Team

Happy Friday the 13th!

No black cats or ladders to avoid here — just a whole lot of sports news to keep the bad luck at bay. Feeling only a little stitious as we prepare for a thrilling weekend ahead.

Quote of The Day
Quote Someone else’s opinion of you doesn’t change whether you can do it or not.
Kara Lawson smiles.

— Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson, sharing evergreen advice about blocking out the noise. The Friday pep talk we didn’t know we needed.

The Latest
FIFA men’s World Cup

⚽ Not again

A view of the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy with the flag of FIFA World Cup 2034 host Saudi Arabia.
Source: Harold Cunningham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The GIST: While trying to distance themselves from a reputation of bribery and corruption, international soccer’s governing body FIFA is once again drawing significant flack after a controversial decision regarding the 2034 men’s World Cup (WC) tournament. Let’s dive in.

Saudi Arabia officially confirmed as 2034 WC host: After submitting an unopposed bid, Saudi Arabia, a country widely criticized for its human rights violations, was awarded the hosting rights to the world’s biggest men’s soccer competition by FIFA on Wednesday.

  • The tournament is the latest attempt by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to use sports to improve his country’s reputation, a tactic known as sportswashing.
  • Twenty-one human rights groups signed on to a joint statement in response, decrying FIFA for endangering “resident, migrant workers, and visiting fans alike” by sending the WC to Saudi Arabia.

Zooming out: Saudi Arabia’s proposal outlines a WC held across five cities in 15 stadiums, requiring at least 11 stadiums to be renovated or built, in addition to creating 185K hotel rooms — a tall infrastructure task expected to be largely carried out by migrant workers.

  • If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. In preparation for the 2022 WC, migrants were employed to build stadiums in Qatar — and thousands reportedly died doing so. Horrific.
  • FIFA’s response, or lack thereof, to such tragedy is among the chief complaints surrounding the decision to give the men’s WC to Saudi Arabia because, as senior director of the Middle East Democracy Center Abdullah Alaoudh said, “there is nothing to indicate that Saudi Arabia will be any better.”
   
NBA Cup semifinals

🏀 Rolling the dice

Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball to the middle of the court against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Source: Alex Slitz/Getty Images

The GIST: The NBA Cup, the league’s second annual in-season tournament, is heading to Sin City, with four teams vying for a spot in Tuesday’s grand finale. What happens in Vegas…will send every player on the championship-winning team home with a sweet payday, so let’s toss up the ball and preview tomorrow’s semis tilts.

Eastern Conference: No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 3 seed Atlanta Hawks, 4:30 p.m. ET: The Hawks took a page out of Troy Bolton’s book, soarin’ and flyin’ to seven wins in their last eight games, led by the three-pronged attack of Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter.

  • But Atlanta’s not the only squad that’s found their rhythm: Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) and his Bucks are winners of nine of their last 11 and have revenge top of mind.

Western Conference: No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 2 seed Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m. ET: Controversial quarter-final win aside, the Jalen Green–led Rockets are shooting for the moon, posting the second-best record in the conference despite missing the playoffs entirely last season.

  • Standing in their way? Perennial MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the best-in-the-West Thunder. Fireworks, loading.
   
Buzzer Beaters

🎓🏈 Legendary NFL head coach (HC) Bill Belichick is taking his talents to the collegiate gridiron, inking a lucrative five-year deal to become the next HC of the UNC Tar Heels. Didn’t see that one coming.

🎓🏀 No. 8 Notre Dame women’s basketball upset Paige Bueckers and No. 2 UConn 79–68 last night, with Hannah Hidalgo netting a game-high 29 points. Swish, swish.

🏈 Divisional chaos ensued in a rain-soaked Thursday Night Football matchup as the LA Rams topped the San Francisco 49ers 12–6 last night. The primetime tilt offered little clarity in the complicated NFC West playoff picture with only four weekends of regular-season action to go.

🏊 American swimmer Gretchen Walsh broke her own 100m individual medley world record during yesterday’s Short Course World Championships. What, like it’s hard?

🏀 The women’s and men’s FIBA AmeriCup 3X3 tournament is hitting half-courts in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this weekend, with WNBA hoopers Azurá Stevens (LA Sparks), Brittney Sykes (Washington Mystics), and Maddy Siegrist (Dallas Wings) headlining the top-ranked American women’s team.

🎓🏆 Colorado football two-way superstar Travis Hunter was named the AP college football Player of the Year yesterday — and that’s not the only hardware he’s poised to add to his trophy case: The Buffalo is also the favorite to snag the Heisman Trophy during tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET ceremony.

Fun & Games

Question of the Day

Together With Skyscanner
Sports fans taking selfies with Ellie the Elephant, the NY Liberty mascot
Source: Getty Images

You already know about the growth in women’s sports, but did you know its soaring popularity is impacting global tourism? Our friends at Skyscanner say that Sports Mode, aka, traveling for an athletic event, will be one of the top seven travel trends of 2025.

  • Ready to book a flight? Not so fast — first check out Skyscanner, the ultimate travel engine, and find the cheapest fares before you jet off.
Weekend Watching
Pitt volleyball team celebrates their Elite Eight berth.
Source: Pitt Volleyball/X

🎓🏐 NCAA women’s volleyball: Championship tournament — Ongoing — ESPN2

  • No. 1 overall seed Pittsburgh held off a near-upset by No. 4 seed Oregon to secure their quarter-final berth yesterday — now four Elite Eight spots remain and will be decided during today’s four high-octane matches. Spiky.

⛳ Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational — Today through Sunday — Golf Channel

  • World No. 3 Lydia Ko and No. 34 Jason Day will work in tandem to defend their title at the fun-filled end-of-year mixed-team competition, taking on dynamic duos like Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler while competing for a $4M purse. Not a bad holiday bonus.

🏈 NFL: Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions — Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET — CBS

  • These squads have the highest-scoring offenses in their respective conferences, boast dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball, and neither franchise has ever won a Super Bowl.
  • With both teams dead set on changing number three, this potential title game preview has all the makings of an instant classic.
Giveaway Alert
Aerial view of historic Charleston, South Carolina
Source: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

With the holidays right around the corner, you deserve a festive year-end treat. How about a quick getaway to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina?

Enjoy the ultimate cocktail experience including the following:

  • 🏨 A three-night stay at the deluxe Dewberry Charleston
  • 🍸 A history-inspired cocktail class
  • 💳 A $500 AMEX gift card for travel…and so much more

Charleston’s calling — enter to win today.

The GIST's Picks

Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:

🏒 What to check out

This article about Sean Monahan’s incredible season. The Columbus Blue Jackets star is honoring the late Johnny Gaudreau by playing some of the best hockey of his career. Powerful.

📽️ What to use

Letterboxd. Log your favorite sports movies on Letterboxd, the social network for film lovers.

📚 What to read

Hoops Muses, a vibrant journey through women’s basketball history and culture. This book brings the game’s milestones and legends to life and makes a great gift for the holiday season.

Older messages

Sunday Scroll: The world needs more edible mascots

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Suddenly craving a pop-tart ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Commit to the bit

Thursday, December 19, 2024

They won't stop until he fires everyone ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Head first, fearless

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Nemo could never ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Special Edition: Let’s do that hockey

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Everything you need to know about the PWHL's sophomore season ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Special Edition: Thankful as cluck

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Football, food, family ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

You Might Also Like

Holiday Giving Update ❄️

Friday, December 20, 2024

The Sportsletter Team Needs Your Help to Stay on the Field in 2025... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Holiday Sports Primer 🎅

Friday, December 20, 2024

The Holiday Sports Wish-List: A Sneak Peek at the Next 3 Weeks in Sports... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Matchday Preview

Friday, December 20, 2024

The final Bundesliga matchday before the winter break is here. A crucial relegation 6-pointer in Bochum, Bayern & Leipzig battle it out at the top of the table, & so much more! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The Sportsletter: Urgent Update 🚨

Thursday, December 19, 2024

The Team Needs Your Help to Stay on the Field in 2025... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Pop-Tarts & Power Rankings

Thursday, December 19, 2024

CFB Bowl Season Naming Rights Comedy. NBA & NHL Standings Check. Highlights & More... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Podcast app setup

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Open this on your phone and click the button below: Add to podcast app

Chapel Hill Bill & Red-Hot NBA Drama

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Bill Belichick Joins UNC. NBA Cup Drama Goes Viral. MLB Winter Meetings, UCL, NHL & More... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The NBA Cup is filled with JUICE

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Two more compelling games with recently bad teams moving on to the semifinals. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Don’t Wait ‘Til The Clock Runs Out

Thursday, December 19, 2024

The Sportsletter's Holiday Gift Guide ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ DEC

💰 Team Values & Friday Highlights

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Forbes Top-50 Sports List. TNF Kick Game. Hero Hidalgo. CFB Awards. LeBron/Bronny & More... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌