Lack of respect for women sports

The sports world has always been the main focus for television outlets that would like to raise their ratings for big sporting events. Although different sports may bring in different numbers of viewers, for the most part there is always a consistent number, except for women sports.

Growing up with sisters and friends who played women sports, I've gained a huge amount of respect for the hard-work and effort that the girls put in to prove that they can do just as much as the guys. To see the lack of coverage that women are receiving when it comes to sports is a direct disrespect to the ladies who go out and practice and perform, just like men.

Studies from Michael A. Messner and Michela Musto of Univerity of Southern California, and Cheryl Cooky of Purdue University, suggest that women sports coverage on television has been on the decline since 1989. Facts show that in 1989, women sports had more coverage on television than they do now, even though women sports have elevated way more in the number of women playing different sports.

As of this year, studies show that 3.2 percent of network television coverage was given to women's sports. Sportscenter has offered women sports with 2 percent, which makes no sense being that Sportscenter is the 'leader' in sports.

The media portrays women that plays sports in a very sexist way instead of treating them like the athletes whom they are. Analyst, when referring to women sports, idealize them for their ability to be able to juggle being an athlete with being a mother, wife or girlfriend. Why can't they just be athlete's who are doing what they can to provide for their family, just like the men?

Since Title IX, millions of women have begun their journey in the sports world, but we as an audience and fans wouldn't know because it's never talked about. ESPN would rather show stories on how a family has had the same season tickets for the Dodgers over the last 50 years, instead of showing a women's basketball game on television.

"The US media loves to get behind 'our' athletes-both men and women- when they are competing on a world stage, but ignores the myriad sports taking place every day within our national borders," said Messner.

It is time for the sports world to show the respect that these women deserve and allow coverage for them on television in the right way; not by portraying them as models and sex idols. Women work at their craft just as hard as the men do, and respect is deserving unto them.

Before things get out a hand, a change is needed.