In the not too distant past, about 30 years ago or so, sports media was pretty much limited to three mediums, print ( newspapers and magazines), network television and radio. Since, we have seen an explosion in the addition of varying avenues for sports media; cable television, specialty all-sports radio and televisions stations, podcasts, online streaming, YouTube channels, blogs, websites, digital print media, social media and probably others I am forgetting. This significant increase in coverage of sports is more an issue of changes in technology than in any form of increase in actual sports needing coverage. In the same time frame, there has been some expansion on the so called four major sports (football, baseball, basketball and hockey), we have seen the arrival (or return ) of professional men's soccer in North America, the rise of the WNBA and women's professional soccer ( albeit now in its third attempt for a viable league), and most importantly, the influence technology has had in eliminating obstacles for sports to be covered on a global scale. As a soccer fan, I can use the example of now being to watch games from anywhere around the world on a daily basis and almost around the clock. However, the boom on platforms via which to cover sports has grown exponentially higher than the actual sports have grown. So essentially, it is issue of now having many more ways to cover the same amount of sport. So if the opportunities to work in sports media have grown so much and assuming we, as a society in the 21st century, would like to believe that sexism and gender equality have progressed from where they were a few decades ago, one could only imagine that the percentage of women working in sports media must have increased. I say percentage instead of numbers, for the specific reason that it is obvious they are more women working in sports media, but not because it’s easier to get into the business or more welcoming for them once they are in it but simply because of incredible diversity of avenues that now present themselves to those seeking a career in this industry. I can't support the assertion with facts but I would say it's a safe bet the percentage of women in sports media has not increased and might even have dropped and that the paths into these jobs are no less bumpy or difficult than they were twenty or thirty years or so. In addition, for those women that do get into the industry and are making a good living at it, I would say that in many ways the conditions they face might even be tougher with the anonymous nature of social medial, blogs, chat rooms etc. and the ease with which Mr. and Mrs. Everyone are able to reach an audience to voice their complaints. There was a time, where the most significant issue about a women covering men's sports was locker room access. As recent as the 1970s female reporters were not allowed to interview players in the locker room before and after games, leaving their male counterparts with a distinct advantage. Following legal rulings the practice of banning female reporters from entering locker rooms was deemed illegal. This gave women reporters the chance to approach players after games and practices, in the locker room on equal footing with their male counterparts. However, even though laws can quickly change, social behaviors and attitudes don't. Despite the cultural barriers being broken and women now able to enter locker rooms, these journalists were faced with hostility and angst while doing their job. Unfortunately, on multiple occasions male athletes have been known to drop their towels as a way to taunt female reporters during interviews; which amounts to sexual harassment but didn't seem to be treated as such. There needs to be a change in the way reporters and athletes interact post-game; regardless of gender. I can imagine that athletes see the locker room as safe haven or escape, a place where they can spend time with their teammates and get away from everything so maybe reporters regardless of gender should not be walking into locker rooms and there should be a better way to hold post-game interviews. Many reports, men and women, along with athletes coaches and others have advocated for a neutral spot outside the locker room for all post-game interviews, after players are allowed to get showered and collect themselves. While others think this would remove the raw emotion ever-present directly after a game is completed. Again, if I use soccer in Europe as an example, we don't see reporters entering the locker room after matches but rather payers are interviewed in a designated area, generally splashed with logos of the clubs sponsors. Regardless of side of the discussion one might fall on, the only right answer is one that includes a level playing field regardless of gender. Most studies and common sense for that matter will agree that gender imbalances are present across print, broadcast, online and all other platforms in sports journalism. Men and especially Caucasian men, greatly outnumber women. I think no one would be surprised to discover that sport media along with sports management as I have discussed in past posts fall way behind other areas of today's society in the area of gender equity. Female reporters and journalists continue to be critiqued more on their outfits and physique than on their knowledge of sports. When a women is hired to work in sports, it is assumed it is for their looks and to attract a wider viewership. Even the women in question is a former successful athlete, the suggestions will be that it is for her marketability and star power then for communication and journalism skills. Seems ridiculous when you think about the number of athletes these days who retire from the playing field and quickly find themselves working in sports media. The justification is that as recent retirees they know the sport and have understand the challenges faced by the athletes. Doesn't matter that they might not have any public speaking or communications experience or finished college for that matter. For those females who get a chance to work in the sports media, or appear in front of the television in any way, have to deal with regular sexist comments and assertions or be evaluated on how they look. Just Google search things like hottest female sports reporters and marvel at the search results and commentary that goes along with these lists. This does nothing to improve the seriousness with which female journalists should be taken. Sports journalists are also faced with harassment from fans, the athletes themselves and even their own colleagues. A soccer fan and with Spanish heritage, I saw firsthand an example of this at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. When Spain played their first match against Switzerland, they lost 0-1, and as soon as the match ended, the Spanish press (and social media) blamed this defeat on one person: Sara Carbonero, a TV presenter who was reporting on the match from the field. Carbonero also happened to be the girlfriend, now wife, of Spain’s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. Fans blamed Carbonero’s presence as a distraction for the goalie and many made unrelated remarks on her lack of professionalism and how she could not be a proper journalist because of her beauty. It was seen as impossible for an attractive female presenter to be good at her job. Social media and its potential for anonymity has completed changed society and sports media is no exception. The online arena is a dangerous one for women who work in sports journalism. This is one area where women who work in male-dominated fields are especially targeted. While male sports reporters are also subjected to insults through social media, women are more vulnerable to malicious online attacks. If young female journalists feel they will face sexist abuse online, they will be less likely to want to enter the field, as this is an industry where public profile and reader interactivity are increasingly important. The difference for women is that it can be very nasty and vile and goes into sexually derogatory insults. It goes into a place men never have to deal with. It’s not about sports. It’s not about writing or radio . TV presence but about gender. Just google Sarah Spain and Julie DiCaro "more than mean" and you'll have ample prove, Here in Quebec, Chantal Machabee has been working in sports media for thirty years. She is one of the most professional, knowledgeable and well prepared individual you will find. She has anchored sports news, done play by play, moderated sports discussion shows, and been beat reporter for the Montreal Canadians , in a city that takes covering its sports team, especially hockey, to the extreme. She has been very vocal throughout her career about gender bias and harassment she faced and how social media affected it. So how can we make it better. Well like anything else, those with the ability to make a chance must be willing to and must step up. Doors have to be opened, obstacles have to removed and unacceptable behavior must have consequences. Like anything else, if the environment is seen as being a positive one, where everyone is given the same chance to advance and be successful then it will attract interest. Women should be encouraged to get into Sports Media because they bring a voice and insight that is different and interesting. as always, just my opinion
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AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
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