Today, we’re covering the end of an era…maybe. LIV Golf has officially filed for bankruptcy, bringing the four-year battle between the Saudi-backed league and the PGA Tour to an end…kinda. In today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotzl dive into what LIV’s bankruptcy entails, how much is owed to its players (hint, it’s millions), and what the league’s CEO has in store for the next iteration of LIV Golf. Oh boy. 

Show notes:

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz  

Today, The GIST of It is celebrating iconic women: Venus and Serena Williams are returning to doubles, playing together for the first time since 2022 at the iconic US Open. Plenty of folks know about the siblings’  tremendous singles success, but their doubles prowess is sometimes an afterthought. In honor of their return to the court, today’s One Big Story is a women’s sports history lesson on one of the greatest tennis teams to ever take the court. 

Show notes:

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

Today’s members-only episode is about the WNBA’s two newest expansion teams: The Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Both squads will officially miss the upcoming WNBA postseason, but considering The GIST will be all-in on the playoff contenders soon, now’s the perfect time to dig into the good, the bad, and the path forward for this season’s debutants.. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

Show notes:
Join The GIST Plus

More on The GIST:
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @thegistca @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz turn the exposure all the way up, digging into not one, but two instances of men posing as NFL players online. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds — and one man scammed women out of $1.3M doing it. Plus, hear from Nebraska senior volleyball star Andi Jackson as the new season heats up. 

Show notes:
⚽ Check out BMO Soccer

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

ICYMI, Good Good Golf and Callaway are in hot, hot water after releasing a video ad that depicted a woman being shoved to the ground. The backlash was swift and fierce, but questions remain, like how did this gross concept even receive approval in the first place? Tune in to hear The GIST of It co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz’s unfiltered thoughts on this *gestures wildly* absolute disaster.

Show notes:

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz  

#584: WTF? Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s controversial return
The Cleveland Browns controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 27 women, is back on the Browns’ starting line: Watson was named QB1 yesterday, winning the coveted position over second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Alessandra Puccio share Watson’s story, from his then-record setting contract with the Browns, to the dozens of lawsuits that followed, and finally, the injuries that have plagued his career since. 

Show notes:
#396: Deshaun Watson suit, PWHL drops new logos and team names & wrapping up the Paralympics#397: NFL off-field updates & Solheim Cup preview#583: Teen girls stand up against hockey culture

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST✉️ Email: [email protected] 📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

Earlier this year, players on a girls’ team had their privacy repeatedly violated when two members of a U-13 boys’ team entered their dressing room multiple times while the women were changing. A disciplinary panel later raised concerns not only about the incidents themselves, but how adults around the boys responded — including repeatedly characterizing the behaviour as an “unfortunate incident” rather than treating it as an opportunity for accountability and education. Inspired by Rick Westhead’s reporting, today co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss what happened, the troubling “boys will be boys” response, and why changing hockey culture has to start long before players reach the pros. 

Show notes:
Meet the Official Tempo Mascots: Dez and Dot
Members of women’s hockey team speak out after players on boys’ team repeatedly enter dressing room
The Truth Behind the 49ers' Electromagnetic Injury Conspiracy

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

Today’s members-only episode features a lovely conversation between our podcast producer Alessandra Puccio and Anne-Valérie Seto, a defender for the Montreal Roses in Canada’s Northern Super League. Al and Anne-Valérie chatted about all things footy, from her transition from playing midfield in college to defense as a pro, her first NSL goal, and how the Roses will tackle the rest of the season following the shocking firing of their head coach Robert Rositoiu. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our extra-special membership platform. Until then, this preview will have to do.

Show notes:
▶️ Join The GIST Plus

More on The GIST: 
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @thegistca @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

Over the weekend, WNBA legend Diana Taurasi’s jersey was officially retired by the Phoenix Mercury — but her legacy in the desert is far from over: She told ESPN that she hopes to join the Mercury’s ownership group in the near future. Investing in a sports team is so hot right now. On today’s episode, The GIST of It co-hosts Steph Rotz and Alessandra Puccio explore why it’s all the rage in a rapidly changing world. 

Show notes:
⚽ Learn more about BMO’s commitment to soccer
🎧 Episode #456: Finally — FIFA funds study investigating ACL injuries in women’s soccer
🤓 Y! Sports Biz: The Moat Around the Field

The GIST:
📰 Newsletter: Subscribe to The GIST
✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz

On Wednesday, the LA Lakers were shockingly sold for $12.5B to businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, former two-time CEO of Disney. This sale came out of nowhere and has a shocking connection to women’s sports, namely the PWHL. On today’s subscriber-only episode, we’ll dig into this sale, explain why it’s a BFD in both the men’s and women’s sports scene, and share our thoughts on it all. To enjoy this episode in full, join The GIST Plus, our membership platform.

Show notes:
Join The GIST Plus

More on The GIST:
 ✉️ Email: [email protected] 
📷 Instagram: @thegistusa @thegistca @ellenatthegist @stephanierotz