Sexism in Sports: What can be done about it?

When it comes to sports, there has been a glass ceiling in place resulting in female athletes being treated differently from their male counterparts. Whether it involves financial compensation, media coverage, or access to quality sports facilities and coaching, women in sports—even those who easily rank among the finest athletes in the world—face many challenges during their career in trying to break through that glass ceiling. While some progress is being made, the ugly truth is that sexism still exists in the world of professional sports and there are many reasons why. Jacqueline McDowell, Assistant Dean for Faculty Success within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University and associate professor of Sport Management in George Mason’s School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management, recently shared her thoughts on sexism in sports.

While progress is being made in amateur sports, gaps in compensation still exist for female and male athletes in professional sports.

On January 5, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law the “Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2022” which requires that all athletes representing the United States in amateur global athletic competitions receive equal compensation and benefits in their sport, regardless of gender. This measure covers 50 different national sport governing bodies including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Prior to enactment of this legislation, male and female athletes on Team USA who played the same sport could be compensated at different amounts. This legislation ensures consistency in pay and benefits including medical care, travel, and expense reimbursements for both female and male athletes who represent the U.S. in international amateur athletic events.

Sadly, however, the same types of guarantees of equal pay and benefits for women in professional sports are lacking. A case in point is the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) where the average starting salary for a player is significantly less than that of a rookie in the NBA. This financial discrepancy is one reason many women in the WNBA play in leagues abroad during the off-season to make extra money.

Media Coverage

Contributing to the wide gap in pay between female and male athletes in professional sports is the fact that women’s sporting events receive less media coverage compared to men’s sports. This means that fewer advertising and sponsorship dollars are flowing into women’s sports. In turn, this can make it difficult for women’s sport franchises to expand.

For some female athletes, the media coverage they receive may be the unwanted type where they are sexualized by the press. This diverts the public’s attention away from the athlete’s talents and focuses it on their physical attributes that meet society’s notion of beauty, a concept driven by social media and marketing. This can have the effect of marginalizing the true talents and performance capabilities that a female athlete possesses.

Stereotypes that Discourage Girls from Playing Sports

The disparity in how female and male athletes are treated can be traced back to how boys and girls are viewed by society at an early age. A pervasive and unfortunate stereotype often projected upon young children is that boys are more suited to engaging in sports than girls. This negative stereotype can contribute to girls developing an identity that is only minimally influenced by sports, if at all. When this happens, girls will be less likely to take part in sports as they enter adolescence, and this could have an adverse effect on their overall development and growth. Existing research shows that the physical, cognitive, and mental health benefits derived from participation in sports at an early age can have lasting positive impacts throughout an individual’s lifespan.

Women holding leadership positions in sports organizations can serve as role models to inspire young girls.

Another factor that contributes to girls losing interest in sports is the small number of females who hold administrative or coaching positions in professional sports organizations. Women in positions such as these can serve as a role model for young girls and illustrate the qualities needed to be a leader. This can help young girls build self-confidence and equip them with the skills needed to build a successful career.

Unfortunately, many women seeking leadership positions in a professional sports organization may experience a cultural bias that is firmly established in the overwhelming number of men who fill these high-level, high-paying jobs. When a culture of this nature is embedded in the workplace, it can limit networking opportunities for women looking to advance professionally. This sends the wrong message to young girls who may aspire to one day become the next general manager or vice president within a sports franchise. When women are given equal opportunities and recognition in sports, it shifts the public perception of gender capabilities, and it encourages equal treatment in other societal sectors.

Sexism in sports can be addressed by taking concrete action.

Certain steps can be taken to reduce sexism in sports. Among these, female athletes should be given greater access to mentoring programs, high quality sports facilities, and the type of coaching support that male athletes enjoy. In addition, policies addressing harassment and discrimination in sports must be implemented and enforced. In other areas, more attention should be directed to the recruitment and development of females in filling leadership positions in sports organizations. Finally, the establishment of equal pay and increased media coverage that promotes the talent of female athletes needs to become a reality. Collectively, these steps can help shatter the glass ceiling in professional sports.

To learn more about degree offerings in the Sport Management program within the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management at George Mason University, please visit the program website.