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Sports News   •   Edition #1331   •  Oct 08, 2025

Leveling The Playing Field

From The GIST Team

Hello hello!

Unlike LA Lakers superstar LeBron James, we actually have an announcement to make. Keep an eye on your inbox later today to see what we've been cooking up, but first read on for today's smattering of sports news.

Quote of The Day

	What I want is that when girls play with this and they see my Barbie and the broad shoulders and the big arms, that can kind of shape their views of beauty as well.
	— Rugby icon and Team USA Olympian Ilona Maher, who officially has her own Barbie, part of the brand's efforts to keep girls in sport and inspire confidence. This Barbie is a badass.

The Latest

WNBA Finals 🏀 Major key alert Source: Ian Maule/Getty Images The GIST: You already know the Las Vegas Aces boast a two-game lead over the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, which are best-of-seven for the first time. With Game 3 set for tonight at 8 p.m. ET, watch out for a pair of difference makers hellbent on hoops glory. 🃏 Vegas' Jackie Young changes the game with her two-way play: Excelling on offense and defense night in and night out is no easy feat. Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson might be the team's heart, but Young's been the adrenaline that keeps it pumping this playoff run. She's been clinical in the postseason's biggest moments, with everything from series-winning buckets to record-breaking quarters. 🪐 Satou Sabally could be key to Mercury comeback: Perennial MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas hasn't been herself in the Finals, but Sabally might be the unicorn who turns the tides. Phoenix has struggled shooting the ball — they made just 18% of their three-pointers in Game 2 — but when Sabally's hot, the Mercury are scorching: Phoenix is 20-7 when she shoots at least 30% from three. ☝️ One more thing: The W's off-court saga — or "growing pains," as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called it — continued on Monday when Silver weighed in on the ongoing tension between WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the league office, and the players. While Silver's confident a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached despite the looming October 31st deadline, he also acknowledged "there's lots of work to be done" and "relationship issues" that need to be addressed. Something everyone can agree on.

Fun & Games

Take Your Pick
Las Vegas Aces	vs	Phoenix Mercury
As the WNBA Finals shift to the Arizona desert for tonight's 8 p.m. ET Game 3, which team do you think will come out on top?
Las Vegas Aces Phoenix Mercury

MLB playoffs ⚾ Swinging for the fences Source: Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images The GIST: Consider this your sign to call in sick, because all four MLB playoffs best-of-five Divisional Series could be decided during today's quadruple-header of elimination contests. You can't help but get excited when there's October baseball on the docket. 🍎 NY Yankees comeback big in the Big Apple: Down early and on the brink of elimination, Yanks captain Aaron Judge rose to the occasion, blasting a three-run, fourth-inning home run to tie things up before NY went on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9–6 and force today's 7:08 p.m. ET Game 4. More fireworks, incoming, as this American League East battle rages on. 🔱 Seattle Mariners rain on Detroit Tigers' parade: Detroit's first home playoff game in over a decade didn't go as planned — the Seattle offense erupted following a three-hour rain delay, winning 8–4 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Gritty Tigs won't go quietly, though, and will swing to extend their season at 3:08 p.m. ET. 🍺 Milwaukee Brewers keep on slugging: The Brew Crew are one win away from returning to the NLCS for the first time since 2018 after topping the Chicago Cubs 7–3 in Game 2. Their key to success? The long ball. Milwaukee belted three home runs on Monday compared to Chicago's one. See if a change of scenery to Wrigley Field can help the Cubs stay alive at 5:08 p.m. ET. 💙 Defending champ LA Dodgers hang on in Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love was full of boos after the Phillies dropped another game at home, losing 4–3 to the Dodgers on Monday. Now LA has a chance to clinch a fourth NLCS appearance in their last six seasons at home at 9:08 p.m. ET while the Phils will be fightin' to avoid another early postseason elimination.

The GIST's NFL Pick'em Challenge Source: The GIST/AP 🏈 Think you can predict the unpredictable? Erin just did. Against all odds and upsets, they topped the table in last week's free-to-play NFL Pick'ems Challenge, walking away with $100 in GIST swag. It wasn't luck — just that NFL intuition. Never played before? Consider this your official invite because our games are for every NFL fan. Yes, that includes you. Just pick the winners for this week's 15 matchups, lock 'em in, and let the quest for Week 6 bragging rights begin. ⏰ Deadline alert: Make your moves before tomorrow's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff between the Philadelphia Eagles and the NY Giants. Because in this challenge, timing is everything. MAKE YOUR WEEK SIX PICKS

Together With ION Source: ION 👑 Culture. Speed. Ciara. It's a one-night-only, world-class combination you'll only find at Athlos NYC, the trailblazing women-only track meet on October 10th, streaming on ION. This six-event meet puts women's sports first, combining high-octane athletics with must-see moments, like a Ciara concert in the middle of the competition. A halftime show? For a track meet? Genius. Watch Athlos NYC on ION to see the world's fastest gals level up on the channel that puts women's sports on top. CLICK HERE TO FIND ION IN YOUR AREA

Mid-Week Watching

Source: Perry Nelson/Imagn Images ⚽ UEFA Women's Champions League: Chelsea vs. Twente — Today at 12:45 p.m. ET — Paramount+ The best European women's soccer clubs square off in the prestigious season-long tourney once again, but this time under a new format. With Arsenal's title defense already off to a rough start, perennial contenders Chelsea have a chance to begin their star-studded campaign with a statement. 🏒 NHL: Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET — ESPN After last night's season-opening triple-header, all eyes turn to Connor McDavid's Oilers. The generational talent just inked a contract extension, but only time will tell if he can bring Lord Stanley back to Edmonton. If at first (or second) you don't succeed… 🏐 AUVB: Team Hentz vs. Team Valentin-Anderson — Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET — ESPN+ Friend of The GIST Morgan Hentz is off to a tremendous start as we enter Week 2. The libero racked up 755 points in AU's opening week, good for third on the leaderboard and cementing a second-straight captainship. But opposing captain Natalia Valentin-Anderson sits in second with 885 points and is ready to set her squad up for success. 🏈 NFL: Philadelphia Eagles vs. NY Giants — Tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. ET — Prime Video This NFC East rivalry looks lopsided at first glance, with the 4-1 Eagles leading the division and the 1-4 Giants sitting at the bottom. But don't make your The GIST Pick'em selections too fast — both teams will be extra hungry after shocking Week 5 defeats.

As Seen On Social

Austin Schultz brings Nike's Just Do It mentality to the Tri-City Chili Peppers 🌶️	Britt Elena didn't let injuries stop her from doing what she loves ✔️	Think football defensive back Josh Moore can kick a field goal? 👀

The GIST's Picks

Here's what has The GIST team currently hyped:

📣 Who to know Penn State Blue Band's first-ever female drum major. Ellie Sheehan made history as the first woman chosen to lead the Blue Band. As part of her audition, she successfully performed the band's signature tradition: a front flip as they enter the field at home football games.

🏀 What to check out The recent edition of Women's Health mag. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson and South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley open up about their lore, what it means to be iconic, and the future of the WNBA.

🎃 What to watch Something from this list of Halloween sports movies. Embrace spooky season with these scary sports films.

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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