Same-Sex Sports Competition

In the sports world, females are constantly striving to gain a sense of entitlement and respect from peers, fans and their competitors. Many female sports athletes will try all sorts of things in order to gain publicity and attention. As we have already discussed, some appear on the cover of magazines or articles showcasing their talent along with their physical attributes. Through the use of media and social networking, women have tried to gain attention and notoriety. Many of these attempts do provide the athlete with some attention, but they are nothing compared to the attention a male athlete receives. Over the last couple of decades, female athletes have developed incredibly. Female athletes can now be put up against the best in the world in their sport, regardless of their gender. Many have tried to compete with men in attempt to not only to gain attention but to prove that they can break the boundaries of male dominance in sports.

There have been numerous female athletes who have entered into the male sports field, all of which broke barriers that no one thought could be reached. We have one example of Annika Sorenstam. Sorenstam is a female golfer who, in 2003, after countless victories on the LPGA, decided to enter into the men's competition. This was a big step in both male and female golf, as no woman had entered into male competition in over 50 years. Unfortunately, this step in the right direction for Annika was halted by many opposing male players. Another male golf professional, Vijay Singh, said "It's just different for ladies to play on the men's tour,"...... "Why? Because she doesn't belong out here…if I'm drawn with her, which I won't be, I won't play." Obviously, he had some strong disagreement with her playing in a male dominated field. This just shows the immature and backwards way of thinking men have about sports. They feel threatened or feel as though women cannot compete at their level. This belittles the female athletes and says that males believe they do not have a place in sports. Unfortunately, it just continues to show how we as individuals need to accept same sex competition in our sports, and how many women are still treated unfairly. 

Another example of female athletes competing against men is in hockey. A Canadian national hero Hayley Wickenheiser, a female hockey player, competed in a men's swiss league and was the first female to ever do so. She also is noted as being the first and only female character in a professional league sports video game. She is a pioneer who is breaking down the barriers of gender equality. More female athletes should follow her example and continue the movement towards same-sex sports competition.

These are just two examples of how female athletes are trying to break the boundaries set by men in sports. They strive to inspire young females by changing the game and continue to excel year after year. It is there goal to not only get recognition from fans and young athletes that look up to them, but to escape this shadow that men have cast out. Females today need to learn from the women before them who stood up for what they believed in and continued to excel in their sport. This will help that sport to grow and shed light on the issue of sexism in sport. 

Sources:

Potter, Jerry, and USA TODAY. "USATODAY.com - Singh says Annika 'doesn't belong' on PGA Tour." USA TODAY: Latest World and US News - USATODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2003-05-12-singh_x.htm>.

eluta.ca. "Video: Hayley Wickenheiser breaks gender barrier on EA Sports NHL 13 - The Globe and Mail." Home - The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/sports-video/video-hayley-wickenheiser-breaks-gender-barrier-on-ea-sports-nhl-13/article4505456/>.

Game Changes for Females

For years, males have dominated the sports world, while women lurk in the background. It is evident that the attention female athletes get is overshadowed and forgotten almost immediately. One major factor contributing to this problem is the alteration of sport that females play compared to men.  The main sports that men play, which attracts millions of viewers, are altered and changed for women. Yet, despite these setbacks, there are many determined female athletes who strive to make a difference and prove that they can impact sports worldwide.

In sports today, we see that females are forced to play the same sports as men albeit with different rules and regulations. Baseball is an excellent example of this. Through stereotypes, females are generally associated with not having a "good arm". Phrases like "you throw like a girl" apply to someone who does not acquire any power or accuracy while throwing a baseball. In the MLB (Major League Baseball), pitchers throw overhand in attempts to strike out an opponent. Conversely, females play softball, a slightly different form of baseball. The pitcher throws a slightly bigger ball and is therefore forced to throw underhand. Although these are the rules of softball, women have always been associated to this style of play and this type of throwing. It belittles their skill to the average sports fan. Many see this as a simple game and it undermines their ability, forcing them to throw underhand while males throw overhand. These women have practiced for years and have developed this unique ability just like any other athlete, yet they do not gain the same amount of respect from their peers.

Another sport we see these slight alterations is hockey for females, which does not allow any physical contact. In international play, club play or even at the collegiate level, professional women’s hockey players are not allowed to use physical contact in their games. Hockey players in general are considered to be rough, violent, and all out nasty individuals. This is due in part to the constant amounts of bone crushing hits and multiple fights that occur in a regular game. To the average hockey fan, watching females play seems less physical and is regarded as a simpler, easier version of the game.

Another sport that females have to endure rule changes and game variations in is football. As we see in the NFL (National Football League), football is a very tough and physical game played by extremely athletic individuals. In the past, females have not had the opportunity to play football in a big time venue that could be seen on TV. However, in 2003 the LFL was available on pay per view on the Sunday of the super bowl. Years later, the LFL has grown into a legitimate league with its first 20 week season. The LFL stands for Lingerie Football League, in which women will dress up with a helmet, shoulder pads and lingerie, playing the game of football. Although it is estimated as one of the fasted growing sporting events in North America, the league does not provide health insurance for the players and does not pay them. These females simply love the game of football and will do whatever it takes to play professionally. The LFL shows how degrading this is to women. Viewers clearly watch the game simply for the attire that each player wears. In a sense, women are reduced down to their physical attributes. The only way they can play the sport on a national level is if is to dress in provocative clothing and hope that enough males see them tackle each other. How they look on the field is far more important than how they play. As you can imagine, no one watches the LFL for the sport.

When women are introduced to sports such as the examples above, it just proves the point they are underappreciated in terms of how they play. The rules of these games are constructed by men, and through this they tend to judge women and place them on a lower pedestal in terms of importance and skill in sports. Clearly, by women playing with different rules they have no choice but to be the subjects of criticism from their male counterparts.

As we have discussed in our blog female athletes have always been looked down upon and criticized in many areas. Obviously, many individuals are sexist in how they view women, but these sports are just some examples of how rule changes and altering of the game play will add to these negative connotations of women’s sports. This creates an even larger gap between men and women in the sports world and how the average viewer sees them.

Sources:

http://www.geekosystem.com/lingerie-football-league-video-game/

http://thesmartjournal.com/genderinsw.pdf

Physical Beauty Over Talent

In sports today, many can agree that there are a variety of talented female athletes. Unfortunately, this talent in which they have worked on for countless years is overlooked by their physical appearance. In sports, it is apparent that females are viewed more so as sex symbols then heroines of the game. Masculinity has dominated sports for decades and females have not been able to escape this, because sports are a male dominated field. The thought of women being portrayed as talented athletes takes a back seat to their male counterparts.

In all aspects of life, women are usually judged based on their looks. This carries into sports as well. There are numerous lists and surveys conducted to determine the sexiest female athletes of the year. Usually, these females are given a full photo shoot where they are portrayed, not in their sports uniforms, but normally in provocative poses wearing skimpy and lucrative attire. It seems that these female athletes accept this portrayal, and they purposely pose in these outfits in order to gain attention from viewers and publicity. However, it undermines them as individuals and thus their talents. There are countless amounts of female athletes and individuals who allow this to happen.

There is also some discrepancy as far as sports go, where we see that the female athletes are consistently given less clothing, thus proving the notion that they are merely sex symbols. As we look into volleyball, this displacement is evident. When we look at men’s beach volleyball, the pieces of clothing that they sport are knee length board shorts and a simple non-revealing tank top. However, women's beach volleyball is vastly different. They are forced to wear extremely small and revealing bathing suits that catch the viewer’s eyes immediately. This is done to improve ratings and males have consensually said that it draws their attention. This illustrates how men are drawn more by vision and women are not. Males watch women’s volleyball primarily because of the scantily-clad women. Females, however, rarely watch men’s volleyball for the physical appearance. Men’s volleyball is regarded for the sport and the talent of the players on the field; women’s volleyball does not receive the same privilege.

Danica Patrick, an American auto racer, is the most decorated female racer in history. She is regarded as the most successful and popular female of American open-wheel racing. She is the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series, as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd place*. With all these accomplishments, however, she choose to instead promote her body and advertise in bikinis. When the average citizen watches this what do they see? They see a female athlete who will be mostly remembered for the color of her bikini rather than the talent or skill she worked so hard to obtain. Another example of athletic female sex symbols is Maria Sharapova, a world class tennis player. She too has experienced great prominence in her sport, winning multiple Grand Slam titles. However, Maria Sharapova to the average male is viewed as a sex symbol and is considered a model rather than a professional tennis player. She is constantly and consistently regarded for her looks over her talent. 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danica_Patrick

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sharapova

Gender Bias off of the Field

As we look at sports in today's era, it is still observed that women have been casted aside as the weaker sex.  This is evident not only through sports themselves, but also through such channels as sports casting and coaching.

In the video "Gender Communications: Women in Sports" it is noted by Sports Illustrated that, in 1991, less than 50 women were working as sportscasters. Although in recent years that number has increased considerably, it is clear that women are still undermined due to their lack of positions in the managerial department.  Women are not given any seniority and the average span of their career in sports news is about 10 years. Unfortunately, the majority of these women will never make it to a managerial position, as 65% of the management and administrative positions are still being held by men.

One large controversy in the area of women newscasters is women being allowed in the locker room. Many felt that it was disrespectful towards the players’ wives.  Others thought that a female sports reporter would not be able to handle herself in such a high testorone area. Although a law was passed in 1978 that allowed females to enter these locker rooms, there was still a large amount of criticism. The fact that people didn't give these females enough respect is degrading towards them. Many times, these sports reporters were harassed and scolded by not only players in the locker room, but also by their male counterparts in the business. It should also be noted that that these female reporters were rarely hired for their knowledge of sports. They were hired mostly for their physical appearance and looks. Despite the hard work that these women put in, they can only be seen as sex symbols. They were also only hired to add a feminine touch to the male dominated airwaves, and to increase the amount of viewers through their physical attraction. These female reporters felt pressured in maintaining their appearance in order to keep their jobs. They also mentioned that they felt as if they didn't have to endure the same obstacles or frustrations as males doing the same job.

News casting is not the only avenue that women face a gender bias in. Women are secluded and demoralized in many facets of sports. In the past, female access was restricted from training rooms.  Although this rule has since been demolished, and that the number of female trainers is rising, many question women’s validity and superiority.

As we look into sports today, there are currently no female head trainers in any of the four major leagues; the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. A major influence on teams and sports comes from the knowledge and ability of a good coach. In terms of distribution among genders, it is noted that women's sports teams are more likely coached by males instead of females. Female coaches’ feel that they need to do extra work just to get notoriety, and that their accomplishments are belittled. This leaves them with sense of degradation and inadequacy about their profession or talents.

It is clear than on and off the field, women are faced with many barriers. Female athletes, newscasters, trainers, and coaches alike all face the same issues in a male dominated industry. Their accomplishments are belittled, and they have an immensely  harder time getting the same jobs that men do. 

Recognition and Viewership

One of the main issues with women in sports is the distinct differences between male and female athletes. From salary, notoriety, sponsorship, recognition, and media attention, women are constantly cast aside. However, a key factor that plays in all of this is viewership and recognition. The female athletes perform on the level they are expected; it is up to the fans to support the product.

The maximum annual salary for a WNBA player is $87,000. This is vastly different from the male counterparts in the NBA. However, this could be considered a gold mine when compared to how much a WPFL (Women's Professional Football League) athlete makes. More surprising than the fact that there is a women's league for football, is the fact that they make just a $100 per game. Even in NASCAR, the male winner made $100,000 more than the female winner. In almost every sport, the glass ceiling is in effect, as women consistently make less than their male counterparts.

Another example of how female athletes are cast aside is video game franchises. The biggest video games of the year always include popular sports franchises, such as NBA 2K (basketball), NHL (hockey), FIFA Sports (soccer), and Madden (American football). However, rarely is there a video game developed for female sports. However, this is understandable. Developing a game separately just for females is not only costly, but also shows that female sports are different and are not on the same level as men's sports. However, a reasonable solution would be to include women in the franchises, right? Wrong. In the latest edition of FIFA 12, there is no option to play as a female character. This is surprising, as FIFA aims to "represent women and equality". In fact, it is in option in NHL 2012 to create a female pro - so why don't female soccer athletes get the same amount of attention? This could be a profitable addition, as many females watch and play soccer, and enjoy video games.

Even in the official Olympics video game there are 15 men only games versus only ONE women only games. The fact is that creating a female character is no different in cost in comparison to creating a male character. So the reason for this cannot be economical. Not only are females cut out of the game, the only women only game is where they are dressed up in bikinis. This further exemplifies how women are only seen for their looks rather than their talent.

What all these facts and figures boil down to is viewership. If women's sports are not getting the attendance of recognition, they won't make the same amount of money as men. If their sports aren't popular, it cannot be justified for them to have their own video games, as creators have to pay large licencing fees in order to use the female athletes in their video games.It is up to the fans to attend and support the product. In order for the ball to start rolling for equality for women in sports, it is primarily dependent on the consumer. If they do not support the product, the athletes will continue making significantly less than their male counterparts, and will not receive the same type of media exposure. In order for franchises and video games to push women's sports, it must be perceived as economically viable. This is why viewership and recognition is crucial to the forward movement of women in sports.

Sources:

http://ca.askmen.com/sports/business_150/190c_sports_business.html

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/helen-lewis/2012/07/official-olympics-videogame-thinks-womens-sports-are-boring

http://digitalhippos.com/gaming/editorial/we-need-more-options-to-play-as-women-in-sports-video-games

Women in the Olympics

                           
The Olympics are regarded as a major event for all athletes around the globe. It features many winter and summer sports, and is an international phenomena. 

The women's movement in the Olympics has made many great strides. In 1984, the number of female competitors was only 24 percent. This number rose 20 percent in the 2012 summer games, with female athletes reaching 44 percent of competitors. Another key figure to note is that every country that participated sent at least one female athlete in the 2012 summer Olympic games. The Olympic committee plans to make sure the number of competitors is even at 50-50 going forward into the next Olympic games. This is a realistic number that could be achieved as soon as the next Olympics. 

However, the women`s movement in the Olympics still has a long way to go. The fact that women outmedaled men for the United States, China, and Russia. This is a figure that most would not know about, as it has been vastly uncovered in the media. This shows that women are viable athletes in the Olympics, and should therefore get more attention and notoriety. Most can only name male athletes who compete in the Olympics, such as Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt. However, female athletes need to receive some more attention, especially when some females athletes are doing much better than their male counterparts. 

The 2012 Olympic games are no exception to the mistreatment of women`s accomplishments in sports. The women's US basketball team have won seven gold medals, and posted an impressive record of 58-3. In the past 36 years, the women's US basketball team has lost a total of three times. In any sport, this would be considered a vast accomplishment. However, the average Olympic viewer would not even know this. More attention in Olympic basketball has been given to the 1992 Dream Team. The Dream Team was the men's US Olympic team in 1992, who were considered to be one of the greatest teams ever assembled in any sport. Although this team had an impressive track record, they were not nearly as consistent as the women's US basketball teams over the last 36 years. The accomplishments they have made and are continuing to make go on and on, yet they do not receive the same amount of notoriety or press as the Dream Team. This is a great example of the bias female athletes face in the Olympics. 

Female athletes still face a lot of barriers, even as backward as not being allowed to compete. For example, female ski jumpers were not allowed to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This shows that there is still a lot of work to be done for equality in the Olympics. They were denied to compete, but the men were. This is a clear example of sexism and did not receive nearly as much attention as it should have. There have been a few victories, however. Female boxers were allowed to compete for the first time in the 2012 Olympics, showing that although it is not completely equal yet, females competing in the Olympics has vastly increased over time. Although there is no logical reason why women should not compete in the first place, at least the barriers are starting to be broken.

Competing in the Olympics is any athlete`s dream. The Olympics are a world renowned benchmark for any sports competition. Although the climate is improving for women to compete, there is still a lot of work to be done. Female athletes do not receive nearly the amount of attention they should considering the achievements they make. However, this is a far less evil than not allowing women to compete. Although both are key issues, the fact of the matter is that women should be allowed to compete in any and every Olympic sport. If the Olympic committee is striving towards equality, this must be addressed. 

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/womens-olympic-success-a-flood-that-began-as-a-trickle/2012/08/12/2799c9ba-e4a2-11e1-8f62-58260e3940a0_story.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_United_States_men's_Olympic_basketball_team

Beamish, Mike, and Vancouver Sun. "Equality in sports? Women aren't there yet." Vancouver Sun | Latest Breaking News | Business | Sports | Canada Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Equality+sports+Women+aren+there/4368587/story.html>.

Sports Illustrated and their role in Gender Equality

Women face a barrier in today's sports. They are not seen as athletes  but merely as sex symbols. Women are only appreciated for their physical beauty as opposed to their athletic ability. Sports Illustrated furthers this issue by showing the differences between male athletes and female athletes. The criteria they use for choosing a male is distinctly different for the criteria they use for choosing a female.

In 2011, only two women were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It should be pointed out that this magazine is released weekly. The fact that only two women were chosen for a cover of a magazine that is released weekly shows the differences between the treatment of male and female athletes. 

Of the two women chosen in the entire year, only one was actually an athlete. Brooklyn Decker was featured on the cover, but she is only the wife of tennis superstar Andy Roddick. Decker's achievements include being named "One of the 100 Hottest Women of All-Time" by Men's Health Magazine, and "The Sexiest Women Alive in 2010" by Esquire Magazine. These accomplishments have nothing to do with sports, which begs the question; why was Brooklyn Decker featured on a sports magazine's cover? 

The other woman chosen for a cover of Sports Illustrated in 2011 was Lindsey Vonn, an American skier. She is shown in her skiing gear on the front, just like any other female athlete. Although it is not an action shot but a photo clearly taken at a photo shoot  she is, at the very least, fully dressed. This, however, is not true for the inside of the magazine. A quick Google search shows how she is dressed in a bikini in the rest. There are no shots of her skiing, but merely shots of her laying in a bikini. This clearly shows how women are only being appreciated for their physical appearance. There is no sign of her skiing, and had you not seen the cover, you would assume that she is not an athlete  just like Brooklyn Decker. 

Kate Upton was on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 2011. This is surprising, because not only does a Swimsuit Edition have anything to do with sports, but Kate Upton is also model, not an athlete. This further shows how Sports Illustrated uses women's bodies to sell magazines, and not to show both male and female athletes equally. In fact, making the cover for the Swimsuit Edition of Sports Illustrated is seen of as a right of passage for supermodels. This edition of the magazine has little to do with sports, yet the name Sports Illustrated is attached to the issue. 

The swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated is meant to fill the gap when there is rarely any sports news. However, the manipulation of women's bodies in order to sell magazines should not be connected to a sports magazine.

Sports Illustrated shows us the role they think women should play in sports.They do so by only showing the physical beauty of the women they choose to be on their cover. In the rare occurrence that a female athlete is actually chosen to be on the cover, it is highly unlikely that you will see them in their gear. Sports Illustrated exemplifies the distinct difference between the treatment of male and female athletes. Male athletes are regarded for their talent and ability, while female athletes are only seen as sex symbols. 

Sources:

Beamish, Mike, and Vancouver Sun. "Equality in sports? Women aren't there yet." Vancouver Sun | Latest Breaking News | Business | Sports | Canada Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Equality+sports+Women+aren+there/4368587/story.html>.

"The Hottest Women of All-Time | Men's Health." Men's Health Magazine : Men's Guide to Fitness, Health, Weight Loss, Nutrition, Sex, Style and Guy Wisdom. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/hottest-women-all-time>. (#50)
"Brooklyn Decker Sexy - Photos of Sexiest Woman Alive Brooklyn Decker - Esquire." Esquire - Beautiful Women, Men's Fashion, Best Music, Drink Recipes. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.esquire.com/women/the-sexiest-woman-alive/brooklyn-decker-2010>.

Curtis, Bryan. "The minds of swimsuit models. - Slate Magazine." Slate Magazine - Politics, Business, Technology, and the Arts - Slate Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_middlebrow/2005/02/the_sports_illustrated_swimsuit_issue.html>.