Working at an indoor soccer place has been a sanctuary for me. I love sports. I grew up playing soccer and am a multi-sports fan. I’m forever grateful that there were people who looked like me — women — who fought hard to gain attraction to women’s sports.
Every now and then, I’ll take a look at the sports memorabilia that decorate a building. More often, I find men’s professional sports teams littered with support. However, I always see a lack of women’s teams filled with the same support, even through the rise in the popularity of women’s sports.
The National Women’s Soccer League was established in 2012 and has grown in viewership over the past few years. The league is the equivalent league of the men’s side, Major League Soccer.
Additionally, the rise of Caitlin Clark brought great attention to the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the increase in recognition made a major impact on the industry. But when are we going to see endorsements and recognition as an effect of the equality for which women athletes have continued to advocate?
University of Oregon freshman Sarina Stone discussed Clark’s effect on the legacy of women’s sports.
“I think after Caitlin Clark had a massive effect on viewership of both college and professional basketball, women’s basketball has definitely been advertised more,” Stone said. “But I don’t think that applies to all women’s sports, and I believe that this is only happening because of Caitlin’s success.”
It was interesting to hear from Stone that Clark’s effect is built on her popularity, which I partly agree with. I think it’s important to highlight the history of players before Clark, such as Sue Bird and Candace Parker, who fought from nothing and made it into opportunities that Clark now has.
Another UO student, senior Greta Lips, discussed her own experience witnessing the growth of women’s sports.
“Since women’s sports have increased in popularity, I’ve noticed female athletes getting more recognition. But I haven’t noticed more promotion of women’s sports, nor have I noticed them playing women’s sports in restaurants or pubs. Additionally, men’s sports posters and merchandise are still the majority displayed,” Lips said.
The recognition of women’s sports has grown, but not enough.
Located in Portland, The Sports Bra is one of the most exciting sports bars established in the past couple of years. The doors opened in April 2022, and “the front door is plastered with a mural of women athletes.”
Paving the way for women’s sports doesn’t just happen within the game but with the help of supporters.
If we begin to create and open up more spaces for women’s sports, this change may help increase the opportunities for women’s sports. Everyone is aware that women’s sports are finally on the map, but what will it do to honor and cement the legacies of women of the past just as it has been done for the men’s side?
Though we’ll probably wonder at this question for a long time within this society, for now, I’ll have to support The Sports Bra to experience an atmosphere full of sports fanatics just like me. I want to encourage that we must support these spaces to create an enthusiastic culture for the growing industry of women’s sports.
Female athletes deserve the recognition they have fought for and continue to fight for. As supporters, engaging and solidifying the impact of women’s sports can help drive this change to something beneficial for everyone.
