We just have to share this one, that University of Connecticut's women's basketball team won 90 straight games before Stanford broke the streak. Ninety games, however, is amazing. The Huskie's coach, Geno Auriemma, is surely a hero, and this is the best college team performance since John Wooden led his UCLA team forty years ago.
And what kind of news coverage did they get? Two lines on ESPN. And a post by CNBC.COM's Darren Rovell.
Mr. Rovell explains the phenomena: Women's basketball is a different game, and the advertisers, those who drive the networks, recognize that we like watching men play a man's game, a lot more.
The reason why a second tier bowl game was on ESPN and the Huskies were on ESPN2 on Tuesday is not because the women didn't deserve to be on the mothership, it's because more people were going to watch Louisville and Southern Miss in the Beef O' Brady's Bowl. And they did—twice as many people watched the bowl game.Which is all good, fine, but as Mr. Rovell suggests, give credit where credit is due. These female athletes are spectacular and should be in the sports limelight.
The NFL doesn't have billions of dollars in television deals because their players are strong men. It's because more people watch and the advertising is worth more, so the networks pay more in upfront rights fees.
We need them in the limelight because women (and men) need to participate more, watch less. If we admire female athletes, maybe we'll do that, get out and bounce the ball.
Women of all ages worry about body image, and obesity is something many will tell you they fight their entire lives. Self-esteem hinges for so many of us, on looks. Doctors are always telling us to exercise, but the truth is that most of us get into the habit when we're young, develop our skills as children. We don't have to become stars, but if playing competitively becomes valued for women, more of us will simply want to play for fun.
Just learning the rules, putting together pickup games, enjoying the play should be something women value, too. Get away from the computer, get out and play.
So thank you, the women at UCONN, for giving it your all, proving that sports for women is not only normal, it is wonderful.
Linda Freedman, PhD, LCSW, LMFT
Without in any way reducing the importance of women's athleticism, are we sure that the streak is amazing? Perhaps it's a sign of the underdeveloped state of women's college sports - perhaps there is a lack of solid competition from top-level programs.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Rabbi. I guess we'll have to keep watching to see?
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