The Women Behind The Game

Why pursuing a career in the sports industry is a uphill battle for women.

By: Cheyenne V. Enciso

Bachelors of Science in Sports Entertainment & Hospitality

California State University, Dominguez Hills

The Work Behind The Game

A Male-Dominated Industry

Why This Matters To Me

Passion Has No Stereotypes

A Seat At The Table

The Work Behind The Game

Sports has always been more than just what happens on the field. There's always intelligence behind the scenes where people don't always see the hard work and strategy that goes into making sports possible.

Photographers capturing the moment, Broadcasters telling the story, Creatives Directors organizing events, Marketers coming up with ideas, Designers making game day posters.

Without them, sports would be nothing more than “just a game", because they are the ones who create lasting memories and give fans a sense of connection. Not just for the team or game, but for an experience to hold onto forever.

A Male-Dominated Industry

Nothing always comes with ease, there is still a major problem in this timing of society for sports:

Women are still fighting to be heard and seen in these roles.

For decades since sports became to be, it has been viewed as a male-dominated industry. Not just for working, even watching sports as a female can cause a lot of controversy. The main reason for this is the 'Fake Fan Myth'.

Never heard of this?

It’s when people often assume women only watch sports to see "attractive players" rather than genuinely being interested in the game or contributing to the sports community.

Why This Matters To Me

Growing up, I was surrounded by men and was often reminded that sports was something I wasn’t "supposed" to be interesed in. Getting reminded on how I should be looking at Princess & Barbie movies constantly. Of course, as a young child and early pre-teen I enjoyed looking at "those types" of shows.

But why wasn't I allowed to like both?

As I got older, I realized that my interest in sports went beyond being a fan. I became interested in everything that happens behind the scenes. Whether that being the creativity, media, social events, and storytelling that brought the game to be The Game.

My junior year of high school, I realized I can turn my passion into a career. I was given opportunities from mentors and teachers who gave me a helping hand in my career.

That is what makes this topic so important to me. I don’t just watch sports from the sidelines of the game. I want to be part of creating the experiences that fans remember.

I know I’m not the only girl who has felt like she had to prove that she belongs in sports. Especially now, where other females can make it harder for women to be taken seriously in this industry based on how they choose to present themselves within the sports world, making it harder for us to be taking seriously in a industry that already thinks below us. Women deserve to be seen not only as fans, but as the upcoming leaders helping shape the future of sports.

Passion Has No Stereotypes

The way women are viewed needs to be changed NOW! It doesn't make a woman more masculine or less feminine for being interested in sports. Not even just with sports, people put stereotypes on women for how they dress, act, or choose to present themselves.

No matter what we do or say we're going to get judged.

We can like sports, gaming, makeup, mechanical jobs, liking princess movies, enlisting into army branches, fashion.

We don't need to fit ourselves into a shoebox to be or act like someone we're not. You can love sports while still loving and expressing yourself in other ways that make you, YOU!

A Seat At The Table

I want to see and work towards a future where women don't have to feel like they have to constantly prove themselves just to be heard or taken seriously. Especially for younger girls, knowing that I was once in their shoes it can be tough to get out of the mindset that you don't "belong".

For me, being involved in sports isn't about proving that I belong in a seat at the table. It's about showing what I can bring to an industry that I've always cared for.

I'm not going to let society take the privilege away from me to follow my life long dream.

I want to show that women belong in these spaces too. We shouldn't have to prove ourselves just to have a place in something we love.

PUBLISHED SEPT 15, 2026

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