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Cheryl Reeve responds to The Big Lead’s women’s sports article

By Howard Megdal

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 4: Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx talks with the media before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Five of the 2017 WNBA Finals on October 4, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 4: Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx talks with the media before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Five of the 2017 WNBA Finals on October 4, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On Tuesday, Jason Lisk at The Big Lead asserted that a lack of consumer interest drives a lack of coverage in women’s basketball. This came in response to David Berri’s piece in Forbes, highlighting the correlation between women’s sports that draw an audience and the coverage that sport receives.

On Wednesday, Minnesota Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve wrote this response. It is printed here in its entirety with Reeve’s permission.

Thanks for writing this rebuttal to economist David Berri’s Forbes piece, “Let’s Talk About What’s Truly Wrong With Women’s College Basketball”. Your piece highlights David’s assertions.  I do agree that it’s not “the number of men in sports media” that is the problem for scarce coverage of women’s basketball and all women’s sports. No, it’s not the NUMBER of men in sports media, it’s the BIAS that exists by these men. Sports are a microcosm of society. Women are not viewed as man’s equal. THAT is the problem. This is reflected in coverage of women’s sports, in the number of women in c-suite, the number of female elected officials, as well as sexual harassment and abuse. When societal norms change, we’ll see real moving the needle for women not only in sports, but business, politics and sexual abuse.

You say that “consumer interest is relatively low in news articles and analysis of women’s basketball, and thus there is less coverage.” Here’s a thought, if consumers don’t know when/where/if they can find coverage because it’s buried deep into the sports section, if covered at all, how would their interest be anything but low?

My favorite part of your article is this: “I am a father of two daughters, one of whom plays basketball and is working on her crossover and can shoot from outside in 3rd grade. I want her to succeed in every way possible and have all the opportunities ahead of her in whatever she chooses.” If this is true, you’ll open your mind to the idea that perhaps men DO have a role in holding women down – in sports, in business, etc. and seek ways to be a part of the solution to ensure gender equality so that she TRULY can become successful and have all the opportunities she deserves.

You made a great point about media outlets having the ability to measure and see responses to topics. Yes, ESPN goes where they think there’s the greatest viewership. And ESPN, like most companies, are looking for new market share. That’s why they continue to expand their coverage of Women’s sports across all of their platforms, and their ratings are proving them right.  This is fact: THE MORE WOMEN’S SPORTS ARE COVERED, THE MORE POPULAR, AND MAINSTREAM, THEY WILL BECOME.

Lastly, you say “The truth is that a large segment of the sports-consuming public doesn’t care about women’s sports.  I would gladly write a women’s bracketology column like I do for the men’s tournament if I thought anyone would read it.” This is YOUR truth and you should explore opening your mind. Why deal in hypothetical? Write that bracketology column every year – for both men AND women. THAT would be being a leader in your workplace and community. Be a catalyst for change for your two daughters’ sake, instead of being dismissive and therefore continuing the cycle of conditioning that makes your daughters and every girll/woman feel that they are less than.

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