Mommas, Don't Let Your Daughters Grow Up To Be Sports Reporters?
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
by Laura Trahan
Sorry, for some reason that old Country song about babies growing up to be cowboys is stuck in my head.
Sports reporting for females can be a cut-throat world. Recently one of the most famous female sports reporters can't seem to catch a break. Erin Andrews has been a mainstay in talk across the Internet, but these last few weeks have caused hard drives to freeze up.
This week, the news going rampant on the net is way worse. Andrews was filmed through the peephole of her hotel room sending naked photos online. Her lawyer released this statement through the PRN Newswire:
"While alone in the privacy of her hotel room, Erin Andrews was surreptitiously videotaped without her knowledge or consent. She was the victim of a crime and is taking action to protect herself and help ensure that others are not similarly violated in the future. Although the perpetrator or perpetrators of this criminal act have not yet been identified, when they are identified she intends to bring both civil and criminal charges against them and against anyone who has published the material. We request respect of Erin's privacy at this time, while she and her representatives are working with the authorities."
It begs the question again, do women really have a place in sport reporting? Don't get me wrong, Andrews has what it takes and then some.
She is cute, but she knows sports! Is there just too much testosterone to allow females to be in such a position?
Lets be honest, here. The male reporters would never have this much attention. No one would be sneaking in their hotel room. If they were hit with a ball during a game, people would just have them shake it off.
Male reporters are allowed to have private lives. They have instant respect from the beginning for the sole reason that they are male. They do not have to worry about being groped by drunk players in locker rooms during after game celebrations. Male reporters do not have to worry about waiting until the athletes are dressed to get their story. They do not have to face being ridiculed.
I remember when I used to report on high school sports. My first assignment was pre-season football in Texas. For those who do not know, football in Texas is a religion.
As I stepped on that practice field, I was scared. The high school boys were three sizes bigger. The coach was patronizing and I felt frustrated. It took years just to gain their respect and they still respected the guys more despite knowing less.
The latest attack on Andrews crosses the line. It is demeaning. It is a violation of her privacy. She may lead a professional public life, but video taping her when she was in the privacy of her hotel is crossing the line.
Uploading the video to the internet is even worse. I am grateful that sites are taking down the video even if it is out of fear of persecution.
I think women should have the right to do the job they love to do even if it is sports reporting. I just don't think it is a career I will be pushing for my daughter
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Women do have that right, Laura. But, women must know that they are up against some serious stuff going in. It's blazing new ground, which is always dangerous.That does not excuse such horrific behaviour, though.Human nature is such a hrd thing to change.
hi laura,i personally, wouldn't be walking around my hotel room naked, but that's way besides the point.greed, and the love of money will make some do loathesome things,never caring what those things will do to the victim, or how it will adversely affect their lives, or those of their loved ones.and once the damage is done, the damage is done.thanks for sharing this,my best to you,sue
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