Scant Coverage of Women’s Sports Creates Unequal Opportunity

 


Since Title IX’s inclusion in the federal Education Amendments of 1972, participation in sports among school-age girls has increased from one in 27 to one in three. This has led to increased enrollment by women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and greater career opportunities.

Media coverage, however, has not kept up. As any fan knows, ESPN is the powerhouse of sports coverage, yet a study by Purdue’s Cheryl Cooky found that Sports Center coverage of women’s athletics increased to a mere 5.4% of airtime in 2019 from 5% in 1989. Lack of coverage, in turn, has accompanied lower pay for female athletes, compared to their male counterparts.

This has happened despite a growing number of female role models in sports, which according to a BBC study helps in the development of women’s attitudes toward personal health.

Fortunately, we have such brave souls as Megan Rapinoe and her teammates, who in a landmark decision, won an equal pay settlement in their suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Perhaps as sponsorships grow, increased pressure will lead to greater coverage.

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