“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.”
-- Capt. Jack Sparrow
Sometimes we must call attention to things to make sure that everyone understands the problem. We might lay out the situation as we see it, hoping that increased awareness will call people to action. In doing so, we hope that the more people who know what's happening, the better. That way, unfair or unjust situations might be addressed, instead of being ignored or swept under the rug.
Such was the case in spring 2 years ago, when I wrote my blog article entitled Title IX. In it, I lamented the discrepancies in the state of affairs between men's and women's sports. Specifically, college basketball, during the wild ride of March Madness, leading to the men's and women's NCAA College Basketball National Championships. If you're not aware of the issues at hand, pop on over and read that article now. I'll wait.
[Cue: Jeopardy Think Music, or, if you'd rather, Chariots of Fire beach running Theme Music]
Ok, ready? Are you up to speed?
Passionate about the sport of basketball, I suggested to (pleaded with) the ‘powers that be’ to right the wrongs that discriminated against Women's BasketBall programs (WBB). I also encouraged you all to take notice, believing that 'we the people' can make a difference. I suggested that someone must invest time, energy, and money to create awareness of women’s basketball programs (WBB), which would then increase exposure, hype, if you will. Bringing things one step closer to realizing the full potential of the sport. That was my platform in March of 2022.
And, now you can thank me. Look at the changes that have happened. Look at what I have done for WBB.
If you live in the US of A, and you have even the slightest awareness of the sports scene, I dare to say that you are very aware of women's college basketball in March of 2024. The storylines are huge this year. TV networks are all agog, covering more games than they have in the history of women's sports. Headlines are being made every day. Money is starting to flow. People are talking. Audiences are watching.
Not only that, but according to industry sources (sportspromedia.com and NPR affiliate WHYY.org), channel ESPN has recently signed an 8-year deal worth $920 million to broadcast NCAA Women’s March Madness basketball, bundled with some other less covered women’s and men’s college sports (think tennis, volleyball, track & field, etc.) WBB scheduling will receive the largest portion of this financial deal. That represents a nearly 300% increase over the previous agreement with ESPN. (Over the 8-year cycle, New agreement= $115million per year vs Old agreement= $34million per year.) The industry has identified WBB as a sport whose time has come. They are ready to promote the sport and cash in on the earnings.
As I said, you can thank me for calling attention to the problem as it was, and spurring people to action.
What’s this got to do with me, you might be asking. Well, it depends. You might not follow sports. Or women’s sports, in particular. Maybe you never will. That’s fine. But, I think this is a story of which you should take notice. So, let me ask you this:
Do you care about fair treatment of women? Or, about little girls who look around them to understand how the world operates? Do you care about little boys who take clues from what they see and hear about the world around them? Do you think there is a positive message about recognizing & valuing talent and ambition, regardless of gender? Do you want your son's achievements to be glorified, but your daughter's achievements ignored? If any of this rings true, then take notice.
The increased financial package is just part of the story. But, that’s where the investment in WBB starts—using resources to call attention to what’s happening on and off the court. I’m not saying that there aren’t issues that need to be addressed or additional problems that will surface. I’m not saying that money solves all troubling situations; I know it often fuels negative results. And, I acknowledge that millions of dollars could be better spent elsewhere. I’m not saying that sports are a perfect world. Far, far from it. But, I am saying that establishing a more level platform to promote accomplishments of the young women who excel in WBB is a positive move.
I still have questions about the financial payouts for the women’s sports programs. Whether the women are ‘allowed’ to bring tournament money back to their conferences or schools the way the men’s programs do. I haven’t been able to find those answers in my recent research. Even so, I am very excited about the state of Women’s Basketball (WBB) in March 2024. I am well-pleased at having written my blog article back in 2022. Now, it sounds like 'they' are listening. The men's and women's March Madness NCAA Championship Tournaments are upon us now. As of this writing, we don't know who will be crowned the men’s or women’s National Champion. But, judging by the lead-in coverage, this tournament will be one hell-of-a ride. I'm following my tournament bracket choices closely. And I'm here on the sidelines donning my college spirit wear and cheering for my women’s team (University of South Carolina! Gooooo Gamecocks!)
My message to you-- Speak up for the issues that need to be addressed, whatever those issues are. Your voice could make all the difference. Full disclosure: I know. I know it wasn’t me who really tipped the scales to force change in college sports. But, I will take credit for bringing attention to the subject and educating at least ONE person on the injustice as I saw it. One person who might feel motivated to campaign for change. One person who might feel validated or understood. One person whose eyes might be opened in a way that changes their opinion. So preach! Tell people what you see. Tell them about the wrongs that need to be righted, improvements and changes that need to be made!
And, you can thank me for prodding you to do it.