Sports News
 | Powered by  Edition #873 September 6 |
From The Gist Team |
Missed ya!
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet aren't the only ones making a big debut this week — the new NFL season begins tomorrow (!!!) and we'll be celebrating with a special edition preview ahead of kickoff. Until then? Pass the time with today's sports news.
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Quote of the Day |
 | I just told myself, 'Man, I should enjoy this.' |
 | — Tennis star Coco Gauff on keeping things in perspective after booking her spot in the US Open semis yesterday. You go, |
The Latest |
👋 Boy, bye
The GIST: The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) finally fired embattled Spanish women's national team coach Jorge Vilda yesterday, bringing his tumultuous tenure to an end. But somehow, disgraced RFEF president Luis Rubiales still remains in power.
Jorge Vilda: Vilda took La Roja's reins in 2015 and saw little success until the nation's first-ever Women's World Cup (WWC) win just over two weeks ago. Vilda's relationship with his squad was icy at best throughout the tournament, relating to the players' ongoing protest of the RFEF, which backed Vilda's leadership despite the allegations of toxic workplace culture.
- The RFEF named former assistant coach and national team player, Montse Tomé, as Vilda's successor, making her the first woman to ever coach La Roja.
- And while it's certainly news worth celebrating, Tomé's promotion is yet another example of the glass cliff — when a woman or person of color is brought into a leadership position to "save" an organization in crisis, putting them in a difficult position to succeed. Sigh.
Luis Rubiales: On Monday, Spain's men's national team put out their first statement since Rubiales forcibly kissed women's national team star Jenni Hermoso following their WWC win, calling the behavior "unacceptable," but falling short of demanding he step down.
- Hours before Vilda's firing was made official, the RFEF apologized for Rubiales' conduct amid repeated calls for his resignation. As a reminder, the RFEF holds the power to oust him — a vote of no-confidence from the organization's 140-person general assembly is the fastest way to remove Rubiales from power. Tick tock.
🎾 In a New York minute
The GIST: And just like that, the US Open semis are halfway set after a whirlwind few days in the Big Apple. Here's who's in and who's out as the serves continue.
Women's: Take a bow, Coco Gauff. With yesterday's straight sets win over No. 20 Jeļena Ostapenko (who ousted defending champ Iga Świątek in the Round of 16), the aforementioned world No. 6 is now the first American teen (female or male) to reach the US Open semis since a little someone named Serena Williams did it in 2001.
- Her opponent? No. 10 Karolína Muchová, who's through to her first US Open semis after last night's win over No. 30 Sorana Cîrstea.
- The other half of the final four will be decided today when No. 23 Qinwen Zheng meets (for now) No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at 12 p.m. ET before surprise 2023 Wimbledon champ No. 9 Markéta Vondroušová takes on American No. 17 Madison Keys at 7 p.m. ET. This court is wide open.
Men's: Freshly coiffed No. 2 Novak Djokovic is US Open semis-bound for the 13th time following yesterday's straight sets rout of No. 9 Taylor Fritz. And while the Joker continues his longstanding dominance, last night did bring a first — two Black men met in the US Open quarters for the first time, with Ben Shelton taking down countryman, fan favorite No. 10 Frances Tiafoe in four sets. Wild.
- Next up, the hump day slate is loaded with even more heavy hitters. No. 3 Daniil Medvedev faces No. 8 Andrey Rublev at 1:15 p.m. ET, followed by reigning champion No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 12 Alexander Zverev at 8:15 p.m. ET.
⚾ Baseball for all
If you like The GIST, you're probably already invested in making room for women in male-dominated spaces. Topps is right there with you, which is why they're working with Baseball for All to bring more women into the trading card collecting hobby.
- In celebration of the current and future women in the hobby, Topps released the First In Their Field feature, which spotlights trailblazers who are making baseball more inclusive. Our fave? The brand-new card featuring friend of The GIST, Brown University utility player Olivia Pichardo.
Ready to join the collecting game? There's no better place to start than with cards celebrating the women shaking things up. Get in, GISTer, we're leveling the playing field.
Mid-week Watching |
⚽ NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal: North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City Current — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — CBS Sports Network
- The defending Challenge Cup champ Courage kick off tonight's semis doubleheader against the tourney's leading scorer, Kristen Hamilton, and her regular-season bottom-of-the-table KC squad. It's giving David vs. Goliath.
⚽ NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal: Racing Louisville vs. OL Reign — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET — CBS Sports Network
- Forward Megan Rapinoe's Reign nabbed the top Challenge Cup seed for the second straight year, but they'll need to get past red hot Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo as they seek their first Challenge Cup finals appearance.
🏀 WNBA: LA Sparks vs. NY Liberty — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Prime Video
- With the postseason just one week away, the Sparks will continue to fight for a playoff spot against the already locked-in seafoam queens. Nothing like a coast-to-coast clash.
⛳ LPGA: Kroger Queen City Championship — Tomorrow through Sunday — NBC Golf Channel, Peacock
- The grand finale of the LPGA's summer schedule tees off from Cincinnati, where American Rose Zhang will be looking to close out the season with a big curtain call.
Tennis' top competitors are chasing history at the US Open, and the crowning of a champion at legendary Arthur Ashe Stadium is just around the corner. But that's not the only history going down at Flushing Meadows this year.
- 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of equal prize money at the tournament, an initiative driven by the formidable Billie Jean King. Scoop up your tickets to be part of the celebration.
The GIST's Picks |
Here's what has The GIST team currently hyped:
👀 What to watch
Behind The Racquet, a new docuseries produced by Wondermind. The mental health startup co-founded by Selena Gomez teamed up with Venus Williams to bring it to life. Talk about a dynamic duo.
💻 What to check out
This blog post on Parity, the platform dedicated to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in pro sports. It centers on the costs athletes face and makes key points for equal pay.
📚 What to read
All In by Billie Jean King, September's read for The GIST Book Club. This month marks the 50th anniversary of The Battle of the Sexes tennis match, so celebrate equality by reading along with us on Fable.
Fun & Games |
Question of the Day
With Labor Day come and gone, it's now (unofficially) fall! And with PSLs in hand, we want to know: Which fall sports event are you most looking forward to? Cast your vote below or reply to this email.
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Today's email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Janine Kiefer, Sarah Wingo, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
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