 | Together With  Edition #1325 Oct 01, 2025 |
| From The GIST Team |
Happy October! | ||
| Somebody call Green Day, because a new month is officially here. But as we turn the page on the calendar, we can't leave behind the wild sports day that bookended September. Let's get into it. | ||
| Quote of The Day |
 | We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now, we have the worst leadership in the world. |
 | — Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier, blasting WNBA leadership, and commissioner Cathy Engelbert in particular, during her postseason exit interview. No time to waste — scroll on for the full story. |
| The Latest |
🏀 No more handshakes and hugs Source: Napheesa Collier/Instagram and Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images The GIST: Need a little push to say exactly what's on your mind? Look no further than the aforementioned Collier's exit interview, where the five-time All-Star lambasted Commissioner Engelbert and the league office in a two-page prepared statement. Receipts, incoming. 👀 What Collier said: The Lynx star spoke candidly about two of the biggest issues plaguing the league: ongoing CBA negotiations between the W and the Women's National Basketball Players' Association (WNBPA), and the league's oft-criticized officiating, saying the latter is "the perfect example of the tone-deaf, dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take." Okay, that's a lot to dissect: 1️⃣ The league's CBA negotiations are a hot topic, especially with the October 31st deadline looming. Amid an already tense (and public) back-and-forth between the WNBPA and the league, Collier shared that Engelbert had previously said players should be grateful for the platform the league provides, a stark contrast to the WNBPA's stance on more representative pay. 2️⃣ Collier discussed the WNBA's sustainability in a similar vein. Engelbert has used the league's long-term viability as a reason not to pay players more, citing a push for profitability. But Collier argued that "what's truly unsustainable" is an on-court product marred by poor officiating.
3️⃣ Collier co-founded innovative 3v3 league Unrivaled last year, so if anyone knows the trials and tribulations of running a league, it's her. The seven-year WNBA vet highlighted the importance of the "human element" of leadership, something both current and former players feel is lacking under Engelbert. The response: Support for Collier is pouring in from players across the league, as well as from the WNBPA. Engelbert also responded to Collier's statement, saying her "focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA." Only time will tell exactly what that future looks like — and whether Engelbert will be a part of it.     |
| Together With Beats 💨 When you're on the move, Powerbeats Fit stay put Source: Beats Busy women make the world go 'round, but to bounce from the yoga studio to the workspace to happy hour and beyond, you need a little consistency — that's where Beats' Powerbeats Fit wireless earbuds come in. The sleek, discreet Powerbeats Fit offer: 👌 Stability and comfort — they actually don't budge, ❌ Advanced Active Noise-Cancelling for fantastic focus, 💦 And they're sweat- and water-resistant, as perfect for push-ups as they are for podcasting. You only need one set of headphones to do it all. Make your day easier and upgrade your earbuds to Powerbeats Fit. |
🏀 The show goes on Source: Ian Maule/Getty Images The GIST: As if that wasn't enough WNBA news for one day, the Finals matchup is officially set. The Phoenix Mercury will face the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-seven championship series after last night's 107–98 overtime (OT) win over the Indiana Fever. Here's how it all went down. 🃏 Las Vegas Finals-bound for third time in four years: We've seen this film before as four-time MVP A'ja Wilson led the Aces in points (35), rebounds (eight), blocks (four), and steals (four) in the dub. But she didn't have to do it alone: Jackie Young dropped a playoff career-high 32 points, while savvy veteran Chelsea Gray chipped in eight (of her 17) in OT.
👀 What to expect when the WNBA Finals start Friday at 8 p.m. ET: The Aces hold the regular-season edge over the Mercury, having won three of four contests, but Phoenix may benefit from extra rest after wrapping up their series Sunday. One thing's for sure: Wilson will be ready to bring the heat against another perennial MVP candidate, the Mercury's triple-double queen, Alyssa Thomas. Can't wait. |
⚾ Born to be Wild (Card) Source: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times The GIST: And just like that, the MLB playoffs are underway with yesterday's mostly low-scoring but always high-stakes quadruple-header of Wild Card action. This opening round is best-of-three, meaning the divisional series will be set by the next time we talk. Blink and you'll miss it. 🐯 Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal strikes out 14 in 2–1 Game 1 win: The reigning American League Cy Young winner brought out the claws yesterday, silencing a dangerous Cleveland Guardians offense on their home turf. The Guards' ninth-inning surge came up short, but this team never quit — they'll need to harness that same fight in today's 1:08 p.m. ET must-win Game 2. 🐻 Back-to-back fifth-inning homers power Chicago Cubs to 3–1 victory: Right fielder Seiya Suzuki and catcher Carson Kelly both launched solo shots to take the lead, and the Cubbies never looked back against the San Diego Padres. San Diego sluggers Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado were both held hitless, so expect them to come out swinging today at 3:08 p.m. ET. 🧦 Boston Red Sox top NY Yankees 3–1 in pitcher's duel: Lefty aces Garrett Crochet (Boston) and Max Fried (NY) both wowed, with Crochet striking out 11 and Fried holding the Sox scoreless for 6.1 innings, until Boston capitalized on the NY bullpen, putting up two runs in the seventh inning. It's always thrilling between these bitter foes — Game 2 goes tonight at 6:08 p.m. ET. 💙 Defending champ LA Dodgers score early and often in 10–5 win: The Blue Crew blasted five (!!!) home runs and pitcher Blake Snell struck out nine as LA fended off a late comeback attempt from the underdog Cincinnati Reds. Now the Dodgers will have sharp pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound to try and close this thing out tonight at 9:08 p.m. ET. |
| The GIST's NFL Pick'em Challenge  Source: The GIST 🏈 Welcome to the winner's circle. In a sea of Week 4 surprises, Bonnie just kept swimming, clinching the top spot in this week's free-to-play NFL Pick'ems Challenge and scoring $100 in GIST swag for their efforts. Not too shabby for a few bold predictions.
🔑 There's no gatekeeping here, just one important rule: Make your picks before tomorrow's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff between the San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams. The leaderboard waits for no fan. |
| Together With Beats  Source: Beats 👀 Did you take your partner's headphones to work…again? If only your buds had a cute, colorful charging case that you couldn't possibly confuse with someone else's. Enter: Powerbeats Fit.
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| The GIST's Picks |
Here's what has The GIST team currently hyped:
⚽ Who's hanging up her bootsAngel City FC captain (and friend of The GIST) Ali Riley, who'll retire from club and international soccer at the end of the NWSL season. Pass the tissues. |
🔋 Which earbuds go the distancePowerbeats Fit from Beats, which delivers up to 30 hours of battery life with the charging case. Now that's consistency you can count on.* |
💐 Who's getting their flowersThe 2025 WNBA All-Rookie team: Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm), Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries), and Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics). Blooming where they were planted. *P.S. This is a sponsored post. Charged up. |
| Fun & Games |
Question of the Day | ||
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Phoenix Mercury | vs | Las Vegas Aces |
| While we wait for the WNBA Finals to tip off on Friday, which team is your early pick to win the title? On Monday, we asked what you're most excited to watch in October. 25% voted for WNBA Finals, 20% voted for MLB playoffs, 13% voted for NFL, 12% voted for NHL season start, 9% voted for NWSL, 7% voted for NBA season start, 7% voted for Athletes Unlimited Volleyball, and 6% voted for Athlos NYC. | ||
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Today's email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
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