The GIST, a women's sports media company with a stated position supporting transgender athletes competing according to their gender identity, declined an interview with a reporter after it was revealed the reporter intended to ask critical questions about the outlet's stance.
The situation arose after a public relations representative for The GIST contacted a reporter from OutKick, offering an interview with co-founder Ellen Hyslop. The pitch framed the discussion around the "growing pains" of women's sports leagues and the increased scrutiny that comes with their rising visibility. The representative initially suggested an interview to explore "the WNBA's current moment" and its implications for women's sports.
However, after the reporter reviewed Hyslop's recent podcast episode, which was titled "Why the WNBA is stuck in a right-wing culture war," and discussed the controversy surrounding transgender athletes, the nature of the proposed interview shifted. The podcast episode criticized comments made by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham regarding biological sex in sports and praised a coach for wearing a "trans kids belong" shirt. Hosts also asserted that transgender rights are human rights and that inclusion should be the default.
When the reporter indicated they would likely ask Hyslop to defend The GIST's explicit editorial position—that "trans women are women and that trans athletes have the right to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity"—the PR representative stated that the outlet was approaching the discussion from a "broader, more positive lens focused on the growth of women's sports... rather than the political/culture-war side of the conversation."
Following this exchange, the representative effectively withdrew the interview offer, suggesting it might not be a "perfect fit" given the reporter's stated approach. The reporter noted that The GIST's own podcast content heavily engaged with the political and social aspects of the transgender athlete debate, including framing it as a "right-wing culture war."
The GIST, which reports having one million newsletter subscribers and a significant social media presence, has been recognized by publications like Forbes and The Associated Press for its growth within the women's sports media landscape.
Despite the declined interview, the reporter submitted written questions to Hyslop and her representative, inquiring about biological restrictions in women's sports, specific criticisms of Sophie Cunningham's statements, the differential responsibility of athletes like Caitlin Clark based on race, and why discussing The GIST's transgender inclusion stance would fall outside the "broader" conversation initially proposed. Neither Hyslop nor her representative responded to these written questions before publication.