Sports

Opinion

Published

8 months ago

May 15, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As women’s sports booms across our mass media, coverage remains male-dominated.

2024 was a groundbreaking year for women’s sports, a year where female athletes across the globe took to the world stage to make a statement that times were changing. This was the year where Caitlin Clark became the first WNBA Player to win TIME’s Athlete of the Year, where Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female American Olympian in history, where the Paris Olympics shattered viewership records while featuring the first ever 50-50 split between male and female Olympians. And yet, in an era where women’s sports broke viewership records across the board, and new female-centric professional leagues are being created for sports like hockey, the media outlets reporting on these historic achievements are almost entirely male-dominated.

It feels impossible to discuss the revival of women’s sports without addressing the lack of female representation in sports journalism, and by exploring these topics together we often find that the same systemic challenges are to blame both on and off the field.

The multifaceted roots of women’s underrepresentation in Sports Journalism.

In 1977, Sports Illustrated reporter Melissa Ludtke made headlines when she was barred from entering the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, despite the fact that she was sent there to cover the World Series between the Yankees and the Dodgers. Though Ludtke’s subsequent legal action eventually led to an MLB ruling of equal access for all reporters, the biases that led to that scandal continue to make an impact on sports reporting in modern day – including a case as recently as 2015, where the Jacksonville Jaguars banned 3 journalists from entering the locker room, there only reason being “you know how guys are.”

These incidents indicate the persistence of gender-based stereotypes that women in sports journalism face both inside and outside the office. Not only do female sports journalists face rampant harassment online (where these women are often reduced to hypersexualized stereotypes), they also battle assumptions made about their objectivity and credibility, as though just because they are women they lack expertise or are less capable than their male counterparts.

Ultimately, the continuation of these harmful stereotypes is both a cause and effect of women’s underrepresentation in sports — and while the interdisciplinary nature of those stereotypes make them hard to tackle, we have still seen noticeable improvement in recent years.

As reported by Forbes in 2024, from 2018 to 2021 there was a noticeable increase in female sports journalists across the industry. “Sports editors rose from 10.0 percent to 16.7 percent, reporters from 11.5 percent to 14.4 percent, and copy editors from 20.4 percent to 24.7 percent.” Although the percent of women in sports media grew, there still wasn’t an equal representation of men to women in this field.

Today, there are only about 16.7% of women in the field of sports journalism. While yes, sports journalism is a male dominant field, that shouldn’t stop a female from pursuing her dreams and representing the other women in the field.

Female representation is necessary to challenge the systemic flaws of the media.

At its core, female representation in sports media is essential because of the visibility it provides to the women who have fought the uphill battle in this male-dominated field and emerged victorious on the other side. When women journalists are given a platform in sports media, they are also granted an opportunity to create real change across the industry. Their visibility alone impacts not only from how young girls perceive their potential in sports and the media, but the harmful ways that sponsors, investors, and even coaches approach women’s sports and female journalists.

Representation is also key to breaking down the systemic barriers that prevent this kind of diverse reporting in the first place, ensuring that executives and higher-ups within the industry will incorporate their diverse perspectives into their decisions. In a 2013 study investigating the lack of serious, respectful coverage of women’s sports, researchers found that sports media itself has a history of encouraging narratives that diminish and ridicule women’s sports, which negatively impacts the hiring practices for women in sports media.

As Lindsey Darvin of Forbes writes, “The result is a lack of women role models and mentors in the industry, making it challenging for aspiring women sports journalists to navigate their careers.” The systemic flaws of mass media perpetuate an ongoing cycle of inequality in sports journalism, and increasing female representation across these outlets is the best way to break that cycle.

Media investment in female journalists pave the way for a more inclusive future in sports

Although sports media still faces a significant exclusion of female voices, fortunately there are many strategies we can take to combat this inequity head-on — including some solutions that are already starting to bear fruit across our major media networks.

As we experience a state of increased monetary and social investment in women’s sports, it falls to the media to make that same investment in female journalists: promoting mentorship programs to facilitate personal growth and leadership positions for women in sports media, or spearheading gender sensitivity initiatives to combat the implicit biases that reduce or marginalize female voices in sports.

These supportive, inclusive strategies for change are perhaps reflected in the rise of women-led sports media organizations like The Gist, TOGETHXR, and Just Women’s Sports – organizations which not only facilitate a strong support network to elevate women in sports journalism, but grant viewers a diverse perspective on women’s sports that major media outlets still lack.

As these support networks propelled women’s sports along their meteoric rise in popularity, their message began to resonate in our legacy media as well, with journalists like Paula Levigne and Lisa Salters becoming major voices within the national phenomenon that is ESPN.

The more we see women athletes and journalists being celebrated for their talent, skill, and hard work, the more we normalize the idea that women belong in every level of our sports – eroding the harmful stereotypes and outdated frameworks that keep major sports media male dominated.

Female representation in sports media isn’t just important, it’s essential for equity, growth, and progress in the world of sports and beyond. It helps us all – athletes, fans, and society at large – see that sports are not a male-only domain, but a space for all of those fueled by the universal thrill of competition.

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Having A Ball: Chautauqua Lake Central School Hosts Alumni Volleyball Tournament | News, Sports, Jobs

Published

10 minutes ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Pictured is one of the groups of participants in the recent Chautauqua Lake Central School Alumni Volleyball Tournament.
Submitted photo

MAYVILLE — Recently, Chautauqua Lake Central School hosted its first ever Alumni Volleyball Tournament, welcoming volleyball alumni back to the court for a day of friendly competition, shared memories, and community connection.

Varsity Volleyball coach Joanne Meadows came up with the idea a few months ago with the help of her brothers, David Sturm, who coaches Junior Varsity, and Eric Sturm who is the assistant coach for both teams. The goal was to create an opportunity for both former and current players to reconnect, play for fun, and celebrate the tradition of volleyball at Chautauqua Lake Central School.

Meadows said the tournament did just that, adding that it not only celebrated the tradition of the program but also strengthened the sense of community among players across generations.

“It was a great day for past and present Mayville and Chautauqua Lake Volleyball players and shows why this program has been so special for so many years,” Meadows said. “The camaraderie in the gym was amazing to see.”

To get the tournament going and gather interest, Eric Sturm created a Facebook page for the event and invited alumni from across the years through it. Some alumni responded with full teams already, while others reached out individually and were placed on rosters, with five teams of about nine players formed overall.

Participants ranged from alumni dating back to the Class of 1993 to current students. Participants were both men and women, and Chautauqua Lake officials said it served to create a unique mix of experience, camaraderie and fun.

“We are so blessed to have the Meadows family coaching at Chautauqua Lake,” Chautauqua Lake Superintendent Josh Liddell said. “Their leadership, and the incredible support of all the alumni who returned to play and reconnect, helped make an event that truly celebrated the impressive volleyball tradition and community they’ve built over the past three decades.”

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Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

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Former Illini basketball sharpshooter Luke Goode engaged to Illinois volleyball star Kayla Burbage

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Love is in the air for two of Champaign’s top athletes in recent years. Former Illini men’s basketball wing Luke Goode popped the question to Illinois volleyball middle blocker Kayla Burbage, the couple shared via Instagram on Wednesday.

“Proverbs 18:22: ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord,’” Goode wrote. “Going into the New Years as future Mr. and Mrs. Goode!”

Goode spent the first three years of his college career in Champaign, graduating from the Gies School of Business in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After his sophomore season was cut short due to a foot injury, Goode bounced back as a junior, playing in all 38 games for the 2024 Elite Eight team. That season, the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter averaged 5.7 points and shot 38.9% from three on just over four attempts per game.

Last season, Goode spent his final year of eligibility playing for his home state Indiana Hoosiers before turning pro. He is currently suiting up for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League. In 11 games so far as a rookie, Goode is putting up 7.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in just above 20 minutes per game.

Burbage just finished up her final season of college volleyball. After spending her freshman campaign at Missouri, Burbage decided to make the move to Champaign. As a sophomore and junior, Burbage played in every match on Illinois’ schedule: 60 total. A shoulder injury sidelined the 6-foot-4 North Carolina native for her senior season, but she returned for a graduate year in 2025. In her final season at Huff Hall, Burbage ranked second in total blocks (82.0) for the Illini and had the fifth-most kills on the team (98).

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Hawkeyes Knock Down Nebraska – Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

IOWA CITY, Iowa – No. 14 Iowa (12-2, 3-0) defeated No. 20 Nebraska (12-2, 1-2) on New Years Day inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, 86-76.

Sophomore Chit-Chat Wright dominated the day for the Hawkeyes with a career-high 24 points, three assists, and two steals. Senior Hannah Stuelke followed with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to notch her third double-double of the season.

The Huskers came out to a fast-paced 8-0 run to start the game. Stuelke got the scoring started for Iowa by getting to the line, sinking both free-throws. Three minutes into gameplay, the Hawkeyes began to capitalize on Nebraska miscues. Sophomore Ava Heiden led a 7-0 run for Iowa to bring the gap to 9-12 with 4:46 left in the quarter. The Huskers contained a narrow 21-18 lead headed into the second quarter.

Wright drained a three-pointer to start the second period, tying up the score for the first time on the day. The Hawkeyes went on to gain nine points on seven forced Husker turnovers in the half. Heiden led the quarter with eight points going 4-for-4 on field goals. A combined 26 points, shooting 66.7 percent in the quarter, left Iowa behind 44-45 at half.

The Hawkeyes came out of the locker room with an 8-2 run to put them in front. Iowa forced four Husker turnovers in the first three minutes of the third quarter, capitalizing five points off of them. Stuelke continued to be a difference maker for Iowa with seven points and two rebounds. This momentum pushed Iowa up 64-61 heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Hawkeyes continued their defensive pursuit, forcing five more turnovers, adding to their total of 18 on the day. Senior Taylor McCabe hit a three-point basket at 4:32 to power Iowa to the end. The Hawkeyes pushed out a 15-6 run to secure a Hawkeye victory.

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Dallas Pulse set to make history in season opener at Comerica Center

Published

6 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

North Texas’ first women’s professional volleyball team will officially launch its inaugural season on Saturday, Jan. 10.

DALLAS — For North Texas volleyball fans, Saturday’s season opener represents more than just a first serve, it’s the beginning of something the region has been waiting for.

The Dallas Pulse, the region’s first women’s professional volleyball team, will open its inaugural season Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting the Indiana franchise at Comerica Center in Frisco.

The matchup marks the first Major League Volleyball game played by a Dallas-based team and is a milestone moment for the metroplex.

The Pulse will play 14 home matches during the 2026 Major League Volleyball season, giving local fans a consistent opportunity to support a women’s pro team built in their own backyard.

Saturday, Jan. 10 – Indy
Thursday, Jan. 15 – San Diego
Thursday, Feb. 5 – Omaha
Sunday, Feb. 8 – Grand Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 19 – Indy
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Grand Rapids
Friday, Feb. 27 – Orlando
Friday, March 13 – Columbus
Sunday, March 15 – Atlanta
Saturday, March 21 – San Diego
Thursday, March 26 – Atlanta
Friday, April 17 – Columbus
Friday, May 1 – Omaha
Sunday, May 3 – Orlando

Leading the team into its first season is head coach Shannon Winzer, who was named to the role in September. The January debut places Dallas at the center of the league’s early growth as women’s professional volleyball continues to gain momentum nationwide.

The timing feels right for North Texas. The region has long been a volleyball hotbed, producing elite athletes through nationally recognized club programs, championship high school teams and top-tier collegiate programs. Until now, many of those players, and the fans who followed them, had no local professional team to rally behind.

Dallas Pulse leadership told WFAA that they hope to change that.

Season ticket deposits are currently open, and the Pulse holds the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft scheduled for Nov. 24, giving the team a chance to add a cornerstone player ahead of its debut season.

Major League Volleyball is also preparing for future growth, announcing plans to add expansion teams in Washington, D.C. and Northern California in 2027.

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