FemSports News
Minh Anh Mai
Jul 17, 2022
Media coverage is a critical ingredient for the success of professional women’s basketball; however, while it has made progress over the years, it is nowhere near as prolific as men’s sports coverage.
THE 'MUTE BUTTON' ON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
"It’s been documented that we don’t get the media coverage." - Sue Bird
Televised WNBA has a far shorter season than the men’s NBA, and is scheduled during a different time of the year. In December, men’s basketball was on national television 3 times as much as women’s basketball.
Overall, the coverage of women’s basketball only contributes to 5% of total sports airtime, and 10% at most during big events like ‘March Madness’.
How Women are Portrayed in the Mainstream Media
The double standard in basketball is clearer than ever in recent years, devaluing the athletic achievements of female athletes compared to their male counterparts.
The total amount of female athletes’ images at the courtside had decreased from 51% to 41% over the past 7 years, as well as images in action poses. More than 61% of the cover pictures featured female athletes dressed like fashion models, rather than athletes.
How Does This Negatively Affect Sports Culture?
In 2019, local television shows devoted 1 hour and 14 minutes to the men’s tournament, while spending just 3 minutes and 16 seconds on the women’s tournament. Aspiring young female athletes were more likely to see men participating in basketball than seeing someone that looks like them onscreen.
Consequently, girls are discouraged from playing the sport as they’re more likely to imitate the things they have witnessed on television.