The Unseen Foul That Keeps Happening On-Air
When we tune into a sports match, we expect fair analysis, excitement, and maybe even some humor. What we don’t expect—but still too often hear—is subtle, or sometimes blatant, sexism in sports commentary. Despite the massive progress women have made in sports, the commentary box seems to be lagging behind, echoing outdated attitudes and gender stereotypes that are far past their expiration date.
Let’s be real: if a male athlete shows passion, he’s a leader—but when a female athlete does the same, she’s “emotional.” When male commentators analyze men’s performance, they focus on strength, strategy, and skill. But when it’s women on the field, the talk often turns to appearance, outfits, or even their personal lives. Why is Serena Williams discussed for her body while Novak Djokovic is praised for his backhand?
And it’s not just about the athletes. Women in the commentary booth face a double standard too. Many have to work twice as hard to prove they belong. If a male commentator makes a mistake, it's brushed off. But if a woman stumbles—even slightly—critics flood social media questioning her "credentials." It’s not uncommon to hear that she was “only hired for diversity” or “doesn’t understand the game,” despite often having more experience or formal training than her male counterparts.
The issue isn’t just frustrating—it’s harmful. It reinforces the idea that women are outsiders in the world of sports, both on the field and behind the mic. And when millions are listening, that message can shape attitudes for generations.
But here’s the flip side: change is happening, and it's loud. More women are claiming their space in sports media—bringing not only insight and professionalism, but also challenging the outdated norms with every word they speak. Audiences are also becoming more aware, calling out sexist remarks and demanding better representation.
Still, one question remains: If sports are about merit, fairness, and respect—shouldn't the commentary reflect that too?
Sexism in sports commentary isn’t just a bad habit. It’s a foul play that needs a red card.
When we tune into a sports match, we expect fair analysis, excitement, and maybe even some humor. What we don’t expect—but still too often hear—is subtle, or sometimes blatant, sexism in sports commentary. Despite the massive progress women have made in sports, the commentary box seems to be lagging behind, echoing outdated attitudes and gender stereotypes that are far past their expiration date.
Let’s be real: if a male athlete shows passion, he’s a leader—but when a female athlete does the same, she’s “emotional.” When male commentators analyze men’s performance, they focus on strength, strategy, and skill. But when it’s women on the field, the talk often turns to appearance, outfits, or even their personal lives. Why is Serena Williams discussed for her body while Novak Djokovic is praised for his backhand?
And it’s not just about the athletes. Women in the commentary booth face a double standard too. Many have to work twice as hard to prove they belong. If a male commentator makes a mistake, it's brushed off. But if a woman stumbles—even slightly—critics flood social media questioning her "credentials." It’s not uncommon to hear that she was “only hired for diversity” or “doesn’t understand the game,” despite often having more experience or formal training than her male counterparts.
The issue isn’t just frustrating—it’s harmful. It reinforces the idea that women are outsiders in the world of sports, both on the field and behind the mic. And when millions are listening, that message can shape attitudes for generations.
But here’s the flip side: change is happening, and it's loud. More women are claiming their space in sports media—bringing not only insight and professionalism, but also challenging the outdated norms with every word they speak. Audiences are also becoming more aware, calling out sexist remarks and demanding better representation.
Still, one question remains: If sports are about merit, fairness, and respect—shouldn't the commentary reflect that too?
Sexism in sports commentary isn’t just a bad habit. It’s a foul play that needs a red card.