The GIST of It

You guessed it, today’s episode of The GIST of It is an extra special W season preview. The top teams, the players to watch, the main storylines — co-hosts Ellen and Steph have everything you need to know before the fun tips off tomorrow night. Nothing but net, baby.  Thank you to Tangerine for supporting today’s episode! Tangerine is the official bank and first foundational partner of the WNBA in...

In today’s episode, co-hosts Ellen and Steph break down a stunning and welcome development from MLB — star LA Dodgers Pitcher Trevor Bauer was issued a two-season suspension last week after spending 10 months on paid administrative leave while he faced sexual assault allegations. El and Steph discuss the background and what this major news could mean for other (men’s) pro sports leagues. Then afte...

We are once again asking the NWSL to protect its players. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen and Steph discuss Houston Dash head coach and general manager James Clarkson’s suspension based on the recommendation of the NWSL and NWSL Players Association's joint investigation. We also want to note that today’s podcast includes mention of allegations of sexual harassment, so if you n...

Another week, another head scratcher from the NWSL. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen and Steph give you the lowdown on the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup finale, and why the league’s time and venue scheduling issues are…not cool. After the break, they hop across the pond to look at how women’s soccer is on the up-and-up across the globe, and why organizations should be prepared to...

If nobody got us, we know Ellen and Steph got us. In today’s episode, co-hosts Ellen and Steph prep you for the weekend with some major sports news. First up, they break down Wimbledon’s Wednesday announcement that players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at the June tourney because of the war in Ukraine, making it the first tournament to impose such a ban on individual playe...

It might be time for co-hosts Ellen and Steph to play the lotto because, after last Thursday’s deep dive on the state of women’s hockey (full of predictions for the future), some major news broke over the weekend. The PWHPA is (reportedly) preparing to launch its own league. El and Steph cover the reported details, dive into the history of other women’s pro leagues and discuss some lingering quest...

Somebody call Taylor Swift because today’s episode of The GIST of It is all about the PWHPA ending their discussions with the PHF to form a unified North American women’s pro hockey league. Co-hosts Ellen and Steph detail this messy history, what led to talks breaking down and what could come next for pro women’s hockey. Thanks for tuning in. And thank you to American Giant for sponsoring today’s...

It’s a very exciting day — the start of the NBA postseason! In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen and Steph have everything you need to know before the play-in tournament tips off tonight including how it works, the competing teams and the top storylines making this postseason extra spicy.  Then the spice continues after the break with a head-scratching story out of the world of wom...

Thursday is low-key the sexiest day of the week — and today’s jam-packed episode is just another reason why. Co-hosts Ellen and Steph start with a preview of the Masters Tournament, covering what you need to know and who you need to know before the fun tees off today.  And after the break, El and Steph give you the low-down on the long-awaited start to a new MLB season. Batter up.  Thank you to Fa...

March Madness is officially over *single tear*, but it was a tournament for the books. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen and Steph are taking time to celebrate the on-court and off-court achievements throughout the women’s tourney.  Then, after the break, El and Steph break down the pro basketball madness to come, chatting about the upcoming NBA postseason. Ball is life, and lif...

What better way to send out March than with a March Madness Final Four preview? We’ll start with everything you need to know about the women’s semis (naturally) then round things out with the men before the fun begins Friday and Saturday, respectively. Ball really is life.  Thank you to FanDuel for sponsoring today’s episode! With CEO Amy Howe leading the charge, FanDuel’s on a mission to level th...

We’re rounding out the month of March with a discussion of an unfortunately all-too-familiar topic: institutional failure. Today, Ellen and special guest co-host Lauren break down Monday’s news that more than 70 current and former Canadian gymnasts signed an open letter calling for a third-party investigation into a “toxic culture” within Canadian gymnastics. And after the break, they discuss how...

In today’s episode, co-hosts Ellen and Steph discuss Tuesday’s shocking news that 25-year-old World No. 1 tennis player Ash Barty was retiring from the sport. We’re happy for her, sad for tennis fans and processing it all with a proper Barty Party. Then after the break, it’s time for another WTF moment, this one from the NWSL. Last weekend, the Orlando Pride removed a fan banner that read “GAY” fo...

Following Friday’s news that the Cleveland Browns traded to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson despite 22 ongoing civil cases of sexual misconduct against him, El and Steph discuss this infuriating move, the history of how the NFL has handled violence against women and where we go from here and more.* *Today’s episode includes mentions of sexual assault. Please take care while listening.   Show no...

We’re ready for the madness to begin! Today, co-hosts Ellen and Steph break down everything you need to know ahead of the women’s March Madness Tournament. From the tourney details, to teams and players to watch, we have you covered.  And stick around because after the break, Ellen and Steph talk shop on why the NCAA needs a’changing.  Thanks so much to our friends at FanDuel. Whether it’s on the...

Today, co-hosts Ellen and Steph break down what exactly happened with last week’s grand jury decision not to charge Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson with any criminal charges. We’re angry and we’re tired of this.  After the break, Ellen and Steph discuss a heckler disparaging Naomi Osaka during last Saturday’s match at Indian Wells, and why this story is about more than just one mean fan....

Steph and special guest co-host Lauren are back with a new episode of The GIST of It. Today, they break down the NFL quarterback carousel — Rodgers! Wilson! Wentz! Garoppolo? — that has us sleeping through this offseason with one eye open. Then, they discuss how Canadian bobsled and skeleton athletes are taking a stand against their national organization, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton.  And thank you...

It’s International Women’s Day! What better way to celebrate than with a new episode of The GIST of It? On today’s pod, co-hosts Steph and Lauren detail their concerns around WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia. Then, they break down everything you need to know about the ongoing feud between the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (P...

On today’s pod, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss the WNBA fining the New York Liberty a league-record $500,000. After the break, they preview the Beijing Paralympic Games before tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony. Spoiler alert: we’re big fans of Grandma Colleen. Thanks for listening!   More on The GIST:  Subscribe: thegistsports.com   Twitter: @thegistpod Email: pod@thegistsports.com   IG: @...

Today’s pod features a plethora of WTF moments from the sports world. First, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz touch on the response (or lack thereof) from governing sports bodies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For more on this story, subscribe to our sports news and sports business newsletters at thegistsports.com/subscribe. Next, El and Steph dig into an infuriating story from t...

One Olympics whirlwind later, we’re back in your ears with another episode! Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss the new anti-trans attacks coming out of Texas and what that means for trans athletes like college swimmer Lia Thomas.  Then after the break, we’ll transition to some celebratory news, as El and Steph discuss the U.S. women’s soccer team’s landmark settlement for equal pa...

We can’t believe this is our last Olympics episode, but we’ve so enjoyed the ride with you. On today’s episode, Ellen and Steph discuss why three Chinese-American Olympians have come to represent geopolitical tensions and cross-cultural questions. And after the break, they’ll share why Mikaela Shiffrin is giving us hope. Special thanks to Janes for sponsoring today’s episode! What better time to c...

Today, co-hosts Steph Rotz and our very own Lauren Tuiskula are here with the Beijing latest. They’ll break down everything you need to know about what’s happening with Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva and the doping scandal wrecking the skating world. And after the break, they’ll be discussing the WTF from one of Team USA’s snowboarding coaches.  We do want to say that today’s episode include...

Welcome…to The GIST of It’s third annual Super Bowl episode! Today, co-hosts Ellen and Steph break down everything you need to know about Sunday’s matchup between the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. They have you covered on the coaching drama, key matchups and key players — Camp Rock 2 analogies included.   So whether you’re making mac and cheese or betting on “Money Mac,” we’d love for you to...

Ellen and Steph are all in on Beijing 2022. Today, they’re discussing how COVID-19 continues to impact the athletes and how these Winter Games will impact, well, the environment.  Then, they bring you a concerning update regarding Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. ICYMI — our past episodes covering her story are linked in the show notes. If, like us, you’re still recovering from Canada’s major women...