Embedded Files
This page represents a timeline of past people that have shaped the sports industry for females, as well as shows the changes that have happened so far. Yet there still is action that needs to be taken which females themselves are fighting for in the sports industry.
1920's
1920's
Margaret Gross: First American female journalist to cover women's sports for New York Herald Tribune. Creating her own column of "Women in Sports"
Anne Doyle: Worked for CBS affiliation in Detroit and fought to join male colleagues in the locker room to interview. As she succeed to become the first female to gain access to professional locker rooms.
1990's
1990's
Lisa Olson: Faced tremendous harassment, while working for the Boston Herald when she entered the New England Patriots locker room. She was harassed by the football players. She then reported her allegations to the NFL. While there were repercussions it back fired on Olson receiving 100 phone calls and 250 death threat letters.
"Channel 2's Anne Doyle was in the vanguard of women sports reporters. Doyle, on the air between 1978 and 1983, opened the locker rooms to women journalists, earning plenty of discussion along the way."
Tim Kiska
From Soupy to Nuts! The History of Detroit Television
Harsh Criticism
2008
2008
Sexualize Comments
Sexualize Comments
Erin Andrews who is an ESPN reporter was written about in the GateHouse News Service that was called "Blonde Bombshell Can't Distract Red-Hot Cubs". They later describe in the article about her skimpy outfits and how it attracted the players. Andrews responded based on this article, "I think my overall reaction is that it's really sad that in 2008 ... I have people watching every single move I make."
"Female reporters suffer a lot of harassment because some men don't understand or respect that the women are in the locker room to do a job. Few women speak out because they want to be defined by their work, not their struggles"
Rachel Bachman
ESPN Creating Change
ESPN Vice President Vince Doria believes that their company made significant changes increasing the number of female sports reporters. Supporting that females may have more of a "human standpoint than men do" when it comes to reporting stories. Although looks have become less of an issue there continues to be more judgment on whether females mess up more. In comparison with male sports journalists who could mess up just as much and receive no hate from the public. as well as no comment on their looks.
Even females in the industry explain how the way they dress and handle themself is part of the reason society judges women more. Cindy Brunson who is an ESPN SportsCenter Anchor mentions, "You can be a very attractive woman and still handle yourself in a very professional way. Women who are deemed as sex symbols bring it on themselves". This comment looks at a different perspective from a female reporter yet Brunson still emphasizes the struggles she dealt with starting her job for ESPN but more for knowledge than her looks.
espn W
2010
2010
ESPN created a new brand on all digital platforms focusing on women in sports specifically. Yet still, only 8% is devoted to women's sports and may gear away from the main platform showing females. Although there were mixed results of this launch in 2010, there is more positivity for the future of women.
Lauren Gentile who is the vice president of espnW speaks out about this marketing tactic.
"The idea is potentially cultivating this fan base of women’s sports fans, where 10 years from now, girls are growing up truly feeling like ESPN is made for them and ESPN is truly their brand”
Action Taken
2015
Doha Media Workshop on Women and Sports
By promoting gender equality for sports the International Olympic Committee hosted this intense workshop. Suggestions from the committee included:
Focus on athletes’ achievements rather than appearance
Champion women in sport
Share best practice through social media
Develop strong relationships with international sports federations and national Olympic committees.
More importantly to encourage women and girls to get involved in sports and change the sports industry achieving gender equality.
To read the authors note, click here:
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