DT calls out lazy sportswriters

[HuskyNan]

One could argue that by comparing a current female player to a male player known for excellence in a certain aspect of their game, the commentator is avoiding gender stereotyping. Why shouldn't a female player be compared to an exceptional male player or for that matter why should a male player be compared to an exceptional female player?

I watch all kinds of sports and despite there being many outstanding female athletes, I have never heard a sportscaster liken a man to a great woman; it’s always a great male player that’s the standard.

 

[CL82]

I watch all kinds of sports and despite there being many outstanding female athletes, I have never heard a sportscaster liken a man to a great woman; it’s always a great male player that’s the standard.

Agreed, but why shouldn't there be? Wouldn't it be cool to a commentator say "he passes like a young Sue Bird"? That would actually be quite a compliment.

 

[HuskyNan]

Agreed, but why shouldn't there be? Wouldn't it be cool to a commentator say "he passes like a young Sue Bird"? That would actually be quite a compliment.

It would be helpful if sportscasters could just mention women once in a while as I had mentioned previously but they don’t. The Standard is always male.

But, remember, it wasn’t all that long ago we were thirsting for articles on the UConn women’s basketball when there weren’t any at all? Women sports has made progress but there’s still a ways to go. It’s good when someone with name recognition like Diana speaks up.

 

[Forego]

While reviewing the posts in this thread I asked myself is this limited to basketball? I can’t recall this type of comparison being made by announcers for other sports, at least not frequently enough to recall any specific instances. Soccer, tennis, golf, ice hockey, track and field events, bowling, skiing, speed skating, and a lot more Olympic sporting events I watch are some of the sports that would be open to such comparisons and I don’t recall it happening. Just an observation.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Ok, cool, I guess?

You did not succeed in making the point you were attempting to (good lord, at least I hope not) and I'm not going to rush to judgement and crucify you for how your post came across so I'm going to ask for clarification... unless you really were trying to say (in the weakest and safest way possible) that only men would know about male pro players and women only about women pro players?


Agreed wholeheartedly but what does the government have anything to do with this thread?

Oh, I don't know. Sometimes I can use a good crucifying.

I was tired and obtuse I guess. This virtual place is one of the few places these days where a gender based topic can be discussed in the true spirit of discussion. This thread was polite, civil and intelligent. WW III did not break out and Nan did not swoop in to make the thread go poof.

More keystrokes next time. God bless the First Amendment didn't do it.

 

[Golden Husky]

Broadcasters aren't sportswriters.

 

[Rowdy831]

I 100% disagree with DT. If a sportscaster compares a player to Curry every fan, man or woman would know who and why that comparison was made. Using the names DT herself used as examples as WNBA players to compare them to I had no idea who either of them were, let alone what their specialty was in basketball.

I consider myself a moderate fan of the women's game overall and a higher level fan of UCONN specifically. This would make me the perfect person to make a comparison like that to help me understand what the announcer is saying. To be compared to the best shooter in basketball history and the best rebounder is no slight and the highest compliment a person, man or woman, could get.

After DT retires I think she will be one of the women other women will be measured against and she has earned that with her outstanding accomplishments. But until the WNBA is watched by more fans it will be hard to have all comparisons in house.

 

[HuskyNan]

I 100% disagree with DT. If a sportscaster compares a player to Curry every fan, man or woman would know who and why that comparison was made. Using the names DT herself used as examples as WNBA players to compare them to I had no idea who either of them were, let alone what their specialty was in basketball.

I consider myself a moderate fan of the women's game overall and a higher level fan of UCONN specifically. This would make me the perfect person to make a comparison like that to help me understand what the announcer is saying. To be compared to the best shooter in basketball history and the best rebounder is no slight and the highest compliment a person, man or woman, could get.

After DT retires I think she will be one of the women other women will be measured against and she has earned that with her outstanding accomplishments. But until the WNBA is watched by more fans it will be hard to have all comparisons in house.

Why not use what some might consider an obscure reference like comparing someone to Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoops, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain, et al? Maybe some folks might Google the name and learn something.

 

[Waquoit]

Sportcasters could use the opportunity to say, “Angel rebounds like Rodman, or his WNBA equivalent, Rebekah Brunson” so the fans could learn something

Why not use what some might consider an obscure reference like comparing someone to Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoops, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain, et al? Maybe some folks might Google the name and learn something.

It's not the job of the sportscaster to stimulate research projects. It's to describe the action in a meaningful way. How does comparing a player to Rebekah Brunson help anyone? It doesn't help me and I attend WNBA games. I don't think turning announcers into hypesters helps. That was a big turnoff of beach volleyball. Love Dee but this is a first-world type of whine, imo.

 

[HuskyNan]

It's not the job of the sportscaster to stimulate research projects. It's to describe the action in a meaningful way. How does comparing a player to Rebekah Brunson help anyone? It doesn't help me and I attend WNBA games. I don't think turning announcers into hypesters helps. That was a big turnoff of beach volleyball. Love Dee but this is a first-world type of whine, imo.

How about the people watching who don’t know anything about the NBA? I don’t watch it and don’t care about anyone in it unless they went to UConn.

Maybe women don’t watch sports because the sportscasters don’t care about them. They’re speaking to the men in the audience and gear their comments to references that men are more likely to understand.

 

[Blakeon18]

Granted it is an exception: In golf... commentator Johnny Miller would occasionally compare the swing of a male to the swing of a particular LPGA player...always meaning it as a compliment.

Uhhh...he just retired after many years doing PGA and LPGA events. He tended to be far more critical than male and female analysts...was not a favorite of many PGA players due to that.

 

[Skeets]

One could argue that by comparing a current female player to a male player known for excellence in a certain aspect of their game, the commentator is avoiding gender stereotyping. Why shouldn't a female player be compared to an exceptional male player or for that matter why should a male player be compared to an exceptional female player?

Any young player, male or female, being compared to DT would be the ultimate compliment. Prior to DT calling out the sportscasters I thought such comparisons were a nice compliment. However, now I see DT's point, they are a nice, lazy compliment. Sportscasters can and should do a better job.

 

[baggerbob]

Bit

Granted it is an exception: In golf... commentator Johnny Miller would occasionally compare the swing of a male to the swing of a particular LPGA player...always meaning it as a compliment.

Uhhh...he just retired after many years doing PGA and LPGA events. He tended to be far more critical than male and female analysts...was not a favorite of many PGA players due to that.
[/
But he was honest, and you knew he would break down the mistakes for you.

 

[Ct Dog]

Good grief, should be happy they are at least talking about them in a totally subsidized league.

 

[azfan]

DT has really generated a spirited and sometimes incisive discussion on the broadcasting and reporting of women's athletics. While her comment, which in my view is on point, was regarding women's basketball I think it probably can be extended to women's sports in general.

We can all agree that like the Supreme Court test for pornography we know bad broadcasting when we hear and see it. I appreciated the observation made by a poster on this thread that DT was calling out lazy broadcasting. It is also unequivocally sexist broadcasting.

I think the spirit of discussion on this topic by most members of this thread reflects the cultural significance and importance of sports in general.

Sports reflexes in many ways the values and assumptions underlining our culture and offers a mirror to consider that reflection.

DT is the GOAT and I've always admired and appreciated her play the court. She's also demonstrates the use of voice in a constructive and thoughtful manner. That is when she's not receiving and reacting to a T.

 

[azfan]

Why not use what some might consider an obscure reference like comparing someone to Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoops, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain, et al? Maybe some folks might Google the name and learn something.

Obscure?

 

[HuskyNan]

Obscure?

Rowdy said he didn’t know who Katie Smith was. She graduated in 1996, before pe were aware of women’s hoops

 

[azfan]

Rowdy said he didn’t know who Katie Smith was. She graduated in 1996, before pe were aware of women’s hoops

Lol. In the context of a discussion by fans I was just wondering who could possibly think Katie Smith was obscure.

 

[Waquoit]

Maybe women don’t watch sports because the sportscasters don’t care about them.

That's just silly. I think the women who don't watch sports don't because they don't like sports. The commentary has nothing to do with it. Most announcers drive me crazy in all sports so I mute often. There are so many real outrages in women's sports. I think it hurts the cause when you gin one up.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think the women who don't watch sports don't because they don't like sports.

Really?

Women and girls made up 46% of the NFL fanbase (ages 8-plus) in the U.S., amounting to 84 million female fans in 2021, according to data from last year’s SSRS Sports Poll. The gender balance is similar among the next generation of fans, with 45% of the NFL’s fanbase under age 35 being women and girls. Also, 56% of women and girls ages 8-plus in the U.S. are fans of the NFL, making the NFL the No. 1 league among this demographic.

Analysis: NFL's appeal to women isn't about pink jerseys

There used to be a time when the NFL thought appealing to female fans meant pink jerseys and bedazzled apparel

www.usatoday.com

Full-season NBA viewership for the 2021-22 regular season rose 19% to 1.6 million average game viewers.

But the growth of female viewers outpaced that overall average, with viewership up 23% from last season – and 11% from the 2019-2020 season.

Women now make up fully one-third of the NBA audience. This season was the NBA’s most-watched since the 2018-19 regular season.

Women Now Make Up One-Third Of NBA Audience

The NBA says women now make up fully one-third of its audience, with female viewership rising 23% during the 2021-2022 regular season.

frontofficesports.com

According to NHL research, 37% of hockey fans are female, including an eye-popping 26% growth in that demographic since 2016. Most of those new fans are likely within the coveted 18-49 age demographic, too, since nearly 40% of all NHL fans are under 50.

NHL experiencing sustained growth with female, younger fans

According to NHL research, 37 percent of hockey fans are female. Read more on Boston.com.

www.boston.com

Women’s sport viewing up 131% in 2022

New research from the Women's Sport Trust reveals a big jump in viewership for women's sport last year

www.broadcastnow.co.uk

 

[Bone Dog]

Great info, @HuskyNan! Really encouraging.

Also, awesome pic of Paige roaring at the crowd and them roaring right back at her. It's like some sort of primal cosmic force. This really says it all. I'm also struck by the UCF cheerleaders reaction to Paige.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

My problem with a much needed law as Title IX is when it started law makers, etc threw FB into the mix with all the other sorts, instead of putting it in a separate category!
No women's sport carries 85 to 100 participants as FB does so the total male figures are inflated which female sports can never reach and Colleges then had to cut smaller men's programs such as, Wrestling, men's tennis, men's golf, men's gymnastics, + others to make the numbers closer to equal!
FB should NOT be included in the formula and should be considered a separate entity!
FB does subsidize other smaller sports both men and women that don't charge admission fees so they have no incoming revenue!
The sportscasters DT is referring to also over-hype a woman dunking as if it makes WBB more like MBB to justify WBB importance!
IMHO WBB should ban dunking and emphasize all the points that make WBB such a great game that we love!
Remember John Wooden used to say that men don't PLAY BB anymore, if he wanted to see real BB he'd watch women's BB!
To me, men play above the hoop, women play below the hoop!

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Rowdy said he didn’t know who Katie Smith was. She graduated in 1996, before pe were aware of women’s hoops

I never saw her play in college myself, although I started following in 1994. But I would have thought Katie would have been known for her play with Team USA, and her WNBA career. OTH, I admit that while I certainly remember Brunson in college, I don't think I remember what type of player she was, and I've gradually followed the WNBA less, so I'm vague on that, too.

Huge supporter of women's sports, we donate to and have season tix for Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball and Softball here at Arizona. Due to my wife's health concerns, we haven't been to volleyball or softball post pandemic but plan to return next season. Watch at least the NCAA championships in those 2 sports, while following WBB much more closely.

Whatever announcers can do to support and bring attention to women's sports is all good, in my mind. I have been very pleased to see increased mention of women's sports on PTI, one of the few talking heads programs I enjoy.

 

[Matty722]

I'm older than DT... when I think rebounding, I think Yolanda Griffith.

Agree 100%!

 

[Rb335]

It’s worth noting that it’s not always just broadcasters, but players themselves. I’ve heard media ask who your favorite player is, and the default answer is an NBA player from a WCBB player. Pretty sure on one of the OT basketball podcast clips, Paige did that.

It takes a collective whole, players both male and female, organizations, owners, media, coaches, etc to all buy into promoting and growing the women’s game.

I truly think the WNBA is on the precipice of big time growth with the next draft class. You have three players with huge media presences set to enter the league (Clark, Reese, Bueckers). I hope the W can capitalize on their followings to expand the popularity.