Women don't Support Women's Sports
Simply put: Why don't more women support women's sports?
It's a simple question with a tremendously complicated answer. If America's population consists of more women than men, then why don't more women's sports succeed -- with the support of the higher percentage of women.
Since my focus is basketball, my point of concern is why don't more women support women's basketball?
Female friends of mine have told me many women don't like to see other women succeed. Some friends have said it's a generational thing -- women were taught women should not compete in athletics (never let them see you sweat type thinking). I've noticed many women seem to support one specific team (Husky Nation or Lady Vols Nation, etc.) instead of support the sport of basketball as a whole.
The 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Championship set record crowds at Ford Field in Detroit, MI -- 72,456 fans for the semifinal games and 72,922 for the championship game. However, the 2009 Women's NCAA Division I Championship did not sell out either of its three games in St. Louis, MO, at the Scottrade Center (with capacity of less than 20,000) as 18,478 fans saw the Connecticut Huskies cap off a perfect 39-0 season with a 76 to 54 victory over the Louisville Cardinals.
The city of Detroit is experiencing extreme economic difficulties; yet, the attendance for the men's games overwhelmed the numbers for the women's games.
What needs to happen to change the mindset of women in this country and generate more interest in women's basketball? Can that mindset be changed?
It seems more women would rather watch men play basketball than watch the women's game.
Is the thrill of dunking so intoxicating more women don't watch the women's game? If so, perhaps Brittney Griner's presence at Baylor University will generate a huge influx of interest in women's hoops by women because Griner can definitely throw them down! However, it seems to me Griner's dunks will only generate more interest from men than women.
The WNBA will begin its 13th season in a few weeks; yet, despite the support of rabid fans on Internet message boards, the W is unable to generate support and interest beyond those fans.
I don't have an answer to the lack of support by women for women's basketball; and, instead of placing blame on anyone, I would like to see a solution because women's hoops is very entertaining to watch and cover.
It's a simple question with a tremendously complicated answer. If America's population consists of more women than men, then why don't more women's sports succeed -- with the support of the higher percentage of women.
Since my focus is basketball, my point of concern is why don't more women support women's basketball?
Female friends of mine have told me many women don't like to see other women succeed. Some friends have said it's a generational thing -- women were taught women should not compete in athletics (never let them see you sweat type thinking). I've noticed many women seem to support one specific team (Husky Nation or Lady Vols Nation, etc.) instead of support the sport of basketball as a whole.
The 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Championship set record crowds at Ford Field in Detroit, MI -- 72,456 fans for the semifinal games and 72,922 for the championship game. However, the 2009 Women's NCAA Division I Championship did not sell out either of its three games in St. Louis, MO, at the Scottrade Center (with capacity of less than 20,000) as 18,478 fans saw the Connecticut Huskies cap off a perfect 39-0 season with a 76 to 54 victory over the Louisville Cardinals.
The city of Detroit is experiencing extreme economic difficulties; yet, the attendance for the men's games overwhelmed the numbers for the women's games.
What needs to happen to change the mindset of women in this country and generate more interest in women's basketball? Can that mindset be changed?
It seems more women would rather watch men play basketball than watch the women's game.
Is the thrill of dunking so intoxicating more women don't watch the women's game? If so, perhaps Brittney Griner's presence at Baylor University will generate a huge influx of interest in women's hoops by women because Griner can definitely throw them down! However, it seems to me Griner's dunks will only generate more interest from men than women.
The WNBA will begin its 13th season in a few weeks; yet, despite the support of rabid fans on Internet message boards, the W is unable to generate support and interest beyond those fans.
I don't have an answer to the lack of support by women for women's basketball; and, instead of placing blame on anyone, I would like to see a solution because women's hoops is very entertaining to watch and cover.
posted by Kris G @ 10:15 AM
7 Comments:
At Sat Apr 25, 11:21:00 AM CDT,
BP said…
Women's Hoops will be better when women enjoy the sport with their spouses or boyfriends. Mens game is more interesting for women as many of them are there with their male friends. Sports are a gender thing and the more we can enjoy them together the better it will become.
At Sat Apr 25, 01:45:00 PM CDT,
Anonymous said…
Well, here we are again, at the crossroads of womens sports. Yes the Mens NCAA Basketball Championship games were soldout once agin. But, did that have more to do with Michigan State being there (in Detriot, where MSU's campus is 90 miles away), or just good old marketing. The St Louis economy is not that much better. The City Metro Transit Authority shut down almost 1/2 of the daily bus routes days before the arrival of fans to the Womens Final Four. And it was because of budget retraints. Their Metro/Train did not suffer however. I think it had more to do with providing direct service to and from the airport (30minutes one way,$2.25). Don't let the economy fool you. when the economy is down. People want ot be entertained. To get value for their buck. If you've a good product people will spend to see it.
You answered your question in paragraph's 7 and 8. Women want ot see the Alpha Male, not the Alpha Female, especially not in sports. Just the men, women want see something exciting, and DUNKING is exciting. Even though the Griner kid didn't dunk in the high school all-star game. The folks their just wanted to see her do it. In half time warm ups she did for the cameras. And a comments was made "WHY DIDN'T SHE DUNK ON SOMEBODY, THATS WHAT I CAME TO SEE", a MALE fan.
A couple weeks ago, almost 7000 people showed up at a GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME at the Campbell Center. And the crowd was over half Male. For the first time in the history of UIL State Championships, the upper deck was used to to accomidate this years crowd. The interest was peaked, and the internet has helped fuel it. All this happened in a Football State.
The interest will change when the environment toward aspiring to succeed is looked upon, "as that is where I want to be", "not as I don't like what he/she's doing and I'm not going to help him/her get better".
At Sat Apr 25, 02:53:00 PM CDT,
Anonymous said…
Why should women HAVE to dunk? Most female players average 6" shorter than their male counterparts--say, a 6'4" female center versus a 6'10" male center--yet they both have to aim for the same 10-foot-tall basket.
Anyway, dunks are fun, but they're not the main thing for all of us, and that includes my big, burly husband, who roots for Cal WBB and takes me and our daughter to their games. A great athlete is a great athlete, female or male, dunk or no dunk.
At Sat Apr 25, 04:49:00 PM CDT,
Sean said…
Sorry to have to say it, but it's the lesbian thing. Most straight females are looking for a date or marriage, so they are going to hang out in places where they can accomplish that. It is that simple, most females think watching women in sports is for lesbians. I have seen and heard it too many times. This is why so many men are upset about Title IX, because they are being told they cannot play sports, because there is just as much interest from women to play , but that simply isn't true yet. Maybe in the future, but to say it exist now is being very dishonest.
At Sun Apr 26, 03:20:00 PM CDT,
Mel said…
Sean, reconsider. Many straight (and gay) women are looking for a date or marriage, but I can't think of a single one of my many female friends, whatever the sexual orientation, who believes that following women's sports is for lesbians; it's for anyone who's interested (although not being hung up about sexual preference probably helps).
At Sun Apr 26, 05:49:00 PM CDT,
Toni said…
I am not sure what the answer is either, but I do know I prefer to watch men playing basketball or any other sport over watching females. It seems sexiest I know. I like to see the male form moving around, dunking, sweating…just being men in competition. Watching men play is exciting and sexy above all else. I could care less if they are lesbians or straight...they are still chicks. I don’t get the same “satisfaction” from watching women run and jump around being well…masculine. It’s just not fun to me!
At Mon Apr 27, 02:07:00 AM CDT,
Chris said…
First of all, the notion that women don't support "women's sports" is ridiculous. Go check out a figure skating or tennis competition. You can say women don't support women's basketball. That's more debatable.
Second of all, the notion that women should support women's basketball is even more ridiculous. Why should they? This is a discussion that boggles my mind every time it comes up.
Female consumers have as much right to choose how to spend their money as anyone. If someone, male or female, doesn't find women's basketball entertaining, why should they watch? I'm male. I don't find men's figure skating or tennis entertaining, so I don't watch it. I watch the women's versions. I'm Chinese. I don't care for sweet and sour chicken. I spend my money at KFC instead.
I find the idea that women have an obligation to watch women's hoops absurd.
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