From hardly being included in the conversation, to filling jobs that have been primarily dominated by men, women are rising in the sports industry quicker than ever. There are more and more women in all aspects of the industry–from broadcasting, journalism, photography, and even refereeing. Not only does this create more diversity in the sports world, but women in known sports roles inspire the next generation greatly.
Outside of women’s sports leagues, there are many roles in the overall sports industry that are intriguing women across the country. Sports broadcasting and commentators are fields that have especially been exclusive to men for decades and we have not seen a woman gain much traction in these roles. However, there are many women who have made it through society’s gender roles and made it out on top–becoming well-known, successful individuals in the field. Some of these women include Erin Andrews, Laura Rutledge, and Maria Taylor.
Broadcasting and commentating is not the only aspect of sports we are more commonly seeing women in. Sports photography and videography are finally seeing more female perspectives, at the national and international levels. Including more perspectives when it comes to action-sports allows a wider range of footage once the game has concluded. Sports journalism is another field that is more inclusive with female writers, once again allowing another perspective when it comes to the games.
Younger girls, and even grown women, see so many benefits from watching women dominate in the sports industry. It gives a message that despite what society tells us, women deserve a spot in conversations surrounding professional sports. Seeing women on our TVs or listening to them on the radio allows for a more comfortable environment for young girls and women who love sports and athletics. Without role models to pave the way, we would not see as many women rising in the sports industry–to change how future generations communicate in the sports world.
