It’s a very exciting Monday here at GIST HQ. ICYMI: In addition to this four-times weekly sports newsletter, we just launched a three-times weekly sports business newsletter, and the first email went out this morning.

• We’ll continue to cover the latest sports news here, while the sports biz newsletter will focus on women’s (and some men’s) business-related happenings. Dollars, deals and more — we’ll give you the lowdown.

• Interested? Sign up for free. Now, let’s get down to, well, business.

Imagine if @FIFAcom used its immense power for good? It’s choices, always choices.

The GIST: As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, so too does the fallout across the sports world, with governing bodies slow to respond despite athletes’ pleas.

The latest from FIFA: After Poland, Sweden and Czechia refused to play against Russia in their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, FIFA responded meekly, opting to move games out of the country to a neutral site while still allowing Russia to compete as the “RFU” (Russian Football Union), despite calls for a total ban.

• FIFA contends “potential exclusion from competitions” is still on the table, but this weak response is a real (R)FU to soccer fans and supporters of democracy everywhere.

Elsewhere: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been similarly disappointing in their response. Though they condemned the invasion as a violation of the Olympic Truce and urged sports bodies to cancel events in Russia and Belarus (a Russian ally), they’ve neglected to take direct action against the countries themselves.

• With the Paralympics set to begin on Friday and more than 30 athletes from Ukraine and other countries sending an open letter urging the IOC to suspend the Russian and Belarusian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, it’s safe to say the pressure’s on.

• Meanwhile, more sanctions could be on their way. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is expected to decide today whether to remove Russian teams from all remaining events this year and move the 2023 World Juniors and men’s World Championship out of Russia.

On the ground: While governing bodies waffle, Ukrainian athletes are experiencing the impacts of war firsthand. Tennis player Dayana Yastremska shared the harrowing story of fleeing to France while her parents remain in Ukraine.

• And Vladyslav Heraskevych — the 23-year-old skeleton athlete who flashed a “No War in Ukraine” sign at the Olympics earlier this month — is preparing to defend his country if needed. Stark reminders of the human toll of this ongoing conflict.

The GIST: Bottom of the ninth, two outs, two strikes — today’s the MLB’s self-imposed deadline to reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before some regular season games are canceled…and it’s not looking good.

How we got here: Let’s take it back to 2021. The owners and players met just once (and for only 10 minutes) before the CBA’s December 1st expiration date, failing to avoid a lockout.

• Since then, negotiations between the league and the Players’ Association have remained, in a word, brutal. The sides have exchanged multiple proposals but are still far apart on key issues, including salaries.

• Amid the negotiations, over a week of Spring Training games have already been canceled, and even more are in jeopardy. Can’t we just play ball?

The latest: Players and owners met for seven consecutive days to no avail last week. Of note, commissioner and procrastinator-in-chief Rob Manfred showed up to negotiations on Friday for the first time, then players nearly walked out on Saturday after being angered by the owners’ proposal. Jeez.

What’s next: If there’s no deal by the end of the day, the league will begin canceling regular season games, as they claim there won’t be enough training time to play a full 162-game schedule (Spring Training typically lasts four weeks). Put on those rally caps.

🎓🏀 NCAAM: In an early preview of the March madness to come, seven (!!!) of the nation’s top-10 teams — and all of the top six — lost on Saturday, the first time seven top-10 teams lost on the same day…ever.

🎓🥎 NCAA softball: On Friday, Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins notched her 1,675th win, reclaiming her throne as the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, a record previously held by former Arizona and Team USA coach Mike Candrea. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

🏀 Athletes Unlimited: Just as quickly as it started, the inaugural Athletes Unlimited basketball season has come to a close, with the Washington Mystics’ Tianna Hawkins winning the first-ever title. Her Mystics teammate Natasha Cloud finished second, while the Dallas Wings’ Isabelle Harrison rounded out the top three.

⛳️ Golf: Phil Mickelson’s boneheaded comments are still coming back to bite him. On Friday, Callaway Golf paused their relationship with the six-time major champion, then Saturday brought a PGA Tour announcement that Mickelson would no longer host his annual tour event. Does Lefty have anyone left?

Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America by Julie DiCaro. Through anecdotes and research, DiCaro — a journalist and former sports talk radio host — highlights the pervasive misogyny in sport. Pointedly discussing the mishandling of abuse cases, toxic masculinity and women’s resistance, this book is a must-read. Like, yesterday.

Auburn gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee. Full stop. Not only did she become the first gymnast to successfully perform a Nabieva at an NCAA competition, but she continued on to earn a perfect 10 on the balance beam before finishing off the night with a 9.975 on the floor. Lee-gendary.