the problematic values embedded in the sports industry – The Glasgow Guardian

Strength is a word often associated with sports. A vital component, one could argue. This correlation has often resulted in sporting events becoming environments dominated by heterosexual masculinity. The result is a devaluation of marginalized groups, who often have to settle for fewer opportunities and a significant drop in wages in the sports industry. Enforced exclusion seems just as worrisome today, as organizations, elected officials, and the average person are content to watch non-cis male athletes suffer from lower social worth. A 2019 Cyclist poll found that of the 2,000 participants, 40% of participants prefer to watch men’s sports. This poll included thoughts from both men and women, with women adding comments such as, “Some sports are for men only,” with the salient statement being that “it’s not a given that a woman should play these sports.” Take the recent soccer World Cup; Although it contains no gender designations, it is immediately known that these are men, with the women’s equivalent clearly labeled with their gender in the title, almost as if it were an afterthought for the sport. This belief that many sports must be male or essentially non-female is amazingly ingrained. I wonder how such a view could take root in the general public?

Adding to this systematic oppression of women in sport is certainly the condescending attitude that many male athletes routinely display toward their female colleagues. For example, former Liverpool player Graeme Souness stated that “[football] is a men’s game”. This comment was made after the England Lionesses won the Euros, a feat the men’s team could not match. Also, former professional tennis player John McEnroe stated that Serena Williams is the greatest female tennis player, but “That would be her [ranking] like 700” if she were playing among men. Williams responded to McEnroe’s statement and shot it down as “not based on fact”. Even allowing for the “men are inherently stronger than women” argument that many preach, shall we really believe that Williams’ world rankings would be that low?The notion that men’s athletic ability is superior to women’s is so commonplace in society and not just in the public perception, but by the athletes themselves who appreciate the achievements of women undermine players.

In 2021, Forbes released its list of the highest paid athletes, of which only two of the top 50 were women. This is probably due to the lack of career opportunities available and the lower salary they have to settle for. England lioness captain Leah Williamson reportedly earned £200,000 for her 2021/22 Euro-winning season, while Harry Kane, who does the same job as England men’s team captain, is paid the same amount within a week. In 2021 there were 87,800 full-time jobs in the sports industry, with 61,500 with men compared to 32,300 with women. Unfortunately, when we understand how male-dominated the sports sector is, this is no surprise. In fact, studies have proven that there are fewer sports jobs for women^., her skills being overlooked given a major lack of demand or opportunity for women in this industry. Surely this combination of fewer job opportunities, lack of career advancement, and sub-par pay is proof enough that sports culture has a clear favorite.

Another factor heavily involved in sport is the lack of inclusion for trans and non-binary athletes. This was controversial among fans and sports governing bodies, with World Aquatics (formerly FINA) introducing a ban on an athlete who “has gone through the process of male puberty”. Elected officials spoke up on the issue, such as British Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who said: “Women’s sport must be reserved for people who are female”. Sports organizations and non-sports officials fuel the gender divide in sports by denying non-cis athletes the freedom to explore careers in their preferred sport because they identify as a different gender than their birth-assigned gender.

Sexuality has also been a major concern for many in the sports community. Leinster’s rugby star Nick McCarthy has revealed he is considering quitting rugby because of his sexuality. McCarthy struggled with his sexuality throughout his career and while he had “great friends in rugby” he wasn’t sure how they would react to it. He’s not the only pro or aspiring athlete feeling rejected. Up to 81% of gays and 74% of lesbians (all under the age of 22) hold back “totally or partly when it comes to youth sport”. As previously indicated, a majority of gay people do not feel comfortable in sport, as 73% of these queer youth feel unsafe. In addition, 80% of all gay and straight participants reported having witnessed or experienced homophobia. Perhaps two reasons for this are treatment by the sports community and lack of care by sports organizations. This systematic homophobia is evident in FIFA’s recent stance on OneLove during the World Cup in Qatar. FIFA, the largest sports organization in the world with 209 member states (similar to the UN), blocked professional footballers from wearing OneLove armbands. The players themselves can be seen surrendering to FIFA rule. A key example from Britain would be England’s Harry Kane, who stated ahead of the World Cup he would wear an armband (which had no impact on the game) to support gay rights, before changing his mind when he switched between a support had to decide his beliefs within the game or a game booking. This act itself would have garnered massive publicity for the pro-homosexuality campaign if it had been its main priority. Such a big event and an organization settling in a state that has made homosexuality illegal, followed by legendary athletes and bowing to what strongly suggests their priorities are their own glory and less about creating a safe space for theirs having marginalized co-stars.

So how do we solve these inequality problems that many have neglected? One solution could be to increase the normalization of non-cishet sports entertainment, and by teaching children at a younger age the nature of equality in sports and the irrelevance of masculinity. In relation to that first point, more TV coverage of women’s sport would certainly help. Currently less than 5% of sports coverage focuses on women. Second, maybe the issue of basic respect for all athletes should start at a younger age, by educating everyone in schools about equality and sexism. Many women feel they face extra pressure than men at a younger age, with bullying being common among aspiring female athletes. One possible way of tackling inequalities at a younger age could be to teach children that all genders are equal, thereby creating an environment for growing up that promotes fairness and morality for all. And a world of sport that also reflects the values ​​of this idyllic educational system.