In the fight for athletic equality women’s sports have been hurt less by men than by their infighting.
In the recent years we’ve been offered the next phase of gender equality. Starting #MeToo To pay inequity, to every inequity being attributed to toxic masculinity, there was a need to wage another Battle of the Sexes. I find it odd that the Equal Rights Amendment was finally passed despite the effort involved. I’m not sure how you are advancing women’s issues by adapting legislation from 50 years ago.
One of the other issues in this realm has been the fight to get respect for women’s athletics. There have been some legitimate complaints, such as the NCAA women’s basketball issue at last year’s final tournament, where the men had a sprawling workout room apparatus at their disposal, yet the women’s teams were granted a solitary rack of free weights. Some battles have produced less evident arguments.
In women’s soccer, there has been an ongoing battle with USA athletics to get compensation for the women’s team equal to the men’s team. The demand has long been centered on the equal-pay-for-equal-work premise, despite the fact that the disparity is a result of unequal results. The reality is the women draw far less in attendance and ratings — a reality the women obviously do not want to address.
Their cause was also hurt by Megan Rapinoe’s avowed activism. Her pronoun kneeling in the national anthem has caused discord among the roster as well as weakened support for the entire team.
Former star goalkeeper Hope Solo mentionedThe locker room used it as a force. “I think the kneeling thing can be very divisive,” Solo added. “I’ve seen Megan Rapinoe almost bully players into kneeling.’’
There was backlash. Going into the Tokyo Olympics, the women’s team appeared bent on diminishing any of its recently earned public support. The team failed to appear at the opening ceremony. Many Americans rooted against them and enjoyed the fact that they had missed the Gold Medal Game.
Women’s basketball has been just as divisive. Teams often You can leave the court during and after the national anthemThere has been more controversy about it. When players opted to stay on the courtAnd stand to the National Anthem. The NBA has provided funding to help the league, which is in dire need of attention. As a sign of support – but also an indication of obliviousness – car maker Buick has a recent woke ad campaign to suggest women’s basketball needs more exposure.
They are featured in their commercial spotBuick asserts that the women getting less exposure are the ones who aired the ad. “Although women make up more than 40% of all athletes, less than 10% receive media coverage. Our mission is to help increase women’s visibility in sports.” In the one spot, they feature the winning shot from the women’s final in 2018 – which had been shown live on ESPN.
Also seemingly working against their best interests at times has been women’s professional hockey. Not long ago, the women’s team was included in the Winter Olympics and as a result, there has been a push for women’s leagues on the ice, with notably mixed results. A Canadian women’s league was formed in 2007, and an American female league– the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)– debuted independently in 2015. After the Canadian league collapsed in 2018, hundreds of Canadian skaters refused to sign up for the NWHL. You can form your own league.
They have been trying to merge, but deep animosities kept them from moving forward. Talks at the most recent roundIt has been a disaster again, raising questions. There are only five PWHPA teams. The renamed PWHPA is Professional Hockey FederationSix. There have been six owners. Sponsorships were divided and ownerships changed. The NHL did not pick a side. Because of the shaky foundations, it has been difficult to keep interest high and create a following.
Self-created issues have occurred even when media support was involved. Over perceived negative relationships with Barstool Sports in January 2017, the ex-NFHL head decided to break off all ties with Barstool Sports. Erika Nardini (Barstool CEO) was an open fan of the league. Her podcast featured the players and encouraged more interest in the league. Due to negative publicity about Dave Portnoy (founder of Barstool), some members of the league reacted negatively.
I can’t think of a single person, media outlet or sports organization that has shown more support for the @NWHL then Barstool and me. You can’t. If my support for women, women’s hockey and these players isn’t good enough that’s on you not on me. https://t.co/6lxzc1KTd8
— Erika (@erika_) January 23, 2021
Nardini was much more than just a fan. Her dedication extended to the point that she wanted to be a team owner to increase the league’s exposure and reach. Some league executives and players were not happy with Nardini’s involvement. This led to a feud and cut off interest from the wider sports community. This was a poor decision, considering we’re talking about the chief of this portal sports. Since that dustup in January 2021, Barstool has only covered the women’s game involving international or Olympic play.
Although there are many reasons for women to participate in athletics, it is difficult to see how this will help them grow. It is easy to set goals and it becomes easier to achieve them. However, this can lead to a halt in growth. While it is okay to desire things your way, you could also create shorter-term lives for your leagues if you insist on such.
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