When you discuss the popularity of women's sports, you have to begin at the basics. And the most basic fact is this. Men drive sports consumption. So if you have set yourself to the task of creating a popular sport, you're going to have to produce a sport that men want to watch. You can't produce the sport that you think men should watch and then try to shape their behavior accordingly. These efforts will fail.
The most basic problem for women's athletics is the perception of competitive inferiority. Women are not seen as peer athletes in most sports. Two years ago, the Australian Women's National Team - a team that would legitimately compete for the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics - was defeated 7-0 in a warm-up game by a U15 boy's team. To put it bluntly, one of the best women's soccer teams in the world was crushed by a group of 14 year-old boys. There followed many rationalizations and excuses, but nothing could erase the revelation of that stark outcome - that professional women's sports exist at about the boy's early high school level. This is the perception that most men have about most women's sports. Their experience tells them it exists at competitive level far below the men's game. For good or ill, men judge women's sports by the standard of men's sports. This is a standard that women cannot hope to meet and so men tend to dismiss women's athletics outright. There are many people who think that a woman's sport should be evaluated on its own terms and that men should be retrained to adopt this new standard. This is why I stated above that you have to produce a sport that men want to watch and not the sport you think they should watch. The retraining effort will fail.
There are some few sports where men and women compete openly against each other. Show jumping comes to mind. This sport does not emphasize masculine advantages but depends solely on the skill of the rider. Men and women compete openly against each other and no one thinks anything about it. Why? Because they are legitimate peer competitors. When a woman by virtue of biological disadvantage cannot be a peer competitor to a man at the same competitive level, then the vast majority of men will not take her seriously enough to pay money and spend time watching. This is why most women's sports will always be very niche sports.
I think many of your points are well taken.
I agree that most men and unfortunately a good number of women (this is a discussion in and of itself) do not appreciate the subtleties of teamwork. My wife and daughter (who played HS and AAU basketball and still plays against guys at now age 34) aren't interested in women's basketball or soccer, both of which I love. My daughter and her husband just spent a good sum of money to buy tickets, drive to Boston from NYC, stay overnight in an air b&b to see 7th game of eastern championship to watch and root for Lebron. Why is that?
I hope this is not viewed as political, as it's truly societal. As our world supposedly evolves, in most if not all cases, as women become viewed as more equal, women in order to succeed adapt to take on more male traits rather than vice versa. Some or much of this, has an economic / financial basis. I truly wish it was men taking on women's traits, but that ain't happening any time soon if ever.
The reason many those here myself included love U Conn women's basketball is the ongoing and continued excellence, very high demands and expectations, ball and body movement, and truly incredible team play. As I am writing this I just realized that to a degree I too fall into this same trap. My criticisms stated here fairly often with the last two seasons results (which are pretty incredibly as to reaching the semi-final each year), was the inability of the great team play, wonderful passing, movement to overcome a quality, well coached, well prepared opponent each with a player or two who could excel in crunch time in truly huge games and moments. The lack of a member of the holy trinity aside, it didn't work.
Also even with the greatness of those three, many won't and don't go see their unbelievable skill sets. Very, very sad but very, very true. Either because they and a few other greats can't dunk or sky above the rim at incredible speeds, or don't look or behave a certain pre-determined way, or have certain social or societal beliefs or whatever other reasons. It is just not viewed as cool or popular to admit that one likes or loves, and will pay for watching and admiring what the women's game brings whether it be basketball, soccer, softball, hockey, etc.
I have some thoughts and ideas about what it would take but they either become more political / societal and would likely fall on many deaf ears.
Sadly, even with much better marketing which is sorely needed, do I believe it will change this issue to any significant degree.
Sorry to be such a downer on a early summer weekend.
Bronx23
