He for She: Engaging Men in the Fight for Gender Equity in Sports
Recognizing male allies in the pursuit of a (sports) world where gender doesn’t determine destiny
If we’re serious about truly making progress on the path to gender equity in sports, then it’s not only the women that should be talking.
The men, our allies, should be talking just as loud — if not louder.
The reality is, our power structures and systems across any industry are still heavily dominated by men. It’s not enough that women athletes themselves lobby for equal rights, pay, and conditions in sports. If they don’t have male champions fighting alongside them, it will undoubtedly be a steeper, more challenging hill to climb.
The good news is, advocacy for women’s sports by men is not impossible.
Here, I share three examples of public figures that have openly expressed their support for women’s athletes and women’s sports. They not only speak up about gender equality in sports, but they also put their money where their mouth is, with game-changing investments that chip away at the equity gap slowly but surely.
There’s still a long way to go, but pay attention to and learn from these three men. They are true allies who are at the forefront of championing women’s sports and who use their voice and platform for good.
Alexis Ohanian
Investment in women’s soccer
Alexis Ohanian is the lead founding investor in my home team, Angel City FC, Los Angeles’s pro women’s soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This investment reflects Ohanian’s commitment to supporting women’s sports at a professional level and contributing to the growth of women’s soccer in the US.
Staunch supporter of women’s tennis
As the husband of the GOAT of tennis, Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian has actively supported and promoted women’s tennis. He has attended matches, celebrated Serena Williams’ achievements, and used his social media presence to amplify the accomplishments of female tennis players.
Champion for equal pay
Ohanian has been a vocal advocate for equal pay, both within and outside of the sports industry. He has spoken out in support of gender pay equity and has used his influence to raise awareness about the wage gap and disparities faced by women in various fields, including sports. In 2022, he received the Champion for Equality Award at the annual Salute to Women in Sports event.
Advocacy for equality in sports sponsorship
Alexis Ohanian has advocated for equality in sports sponsorship, emphasizing the importance of providing equal opportunities and recognition for female athletes. He has used his influence to encourage sponsors and brands to invest in and support women’s sports, helping to address the historic disparities in sponsorship deals.
Active social media presence
Ohanian often uses his social media platforms to champion women in sports. He shares posts, tweets, and other content that celebrate female athletes, their achievements, and the importance of gender equality.
Stephen Curry
Advocacy for pay equality
Stephen Curry has been a vocal advocate for gender pay equality, particularly in basketball. In 2018, he penned an op-ed for The Players’ Tribune expressing his support for female athletes and the need for equal pay. He used his platform to draw attention to the wage gap in sports and called for changes to ensure fairness for female athletes.
Investment in men’s and women’s golf programs at Howard University
In 2019, Stephen Curry announced that he would be sponsoring the creation of both men’s and women’s Division I golf teams at Howard University. “No matter where you come from or what socioeconomic background you had, we all were that kid once upon a time that was just excited about finding out who they were as a person through athletics,” Curry said.
Support for the WNBA
Curry has consistently expressed his support for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). He has attended WNBA games, publicly praised the talent and skills of WNBA players, and advocated for increased visibility and recognition of women’s basketball. Curry was even instrumental in making the first-ever Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty) 3-Point Challenge happen at this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend.
Hosting basketball camps for girls
Stephen Curry has organized basketball camps, specifically for girls. These camps provide young female athletes with the opportunity to develop their skills, receive coaching, and be inspired by a high-profile NBA player who actively supports their participation in the sport.
Under Armour’s special line of basketball shoes for girls
Stephen Curry collaborated with Under Armour to address the lack of basketball shoe options for girls. The initiative aimed to provide girls with athletic footwear designed specifically for their needs and preferences in the sport. The collaboration resulted in the creation of a basketball shoe line for girls under Curry’s signature brand with Under Armour.
Andy Murray
Public statements on gender equality
Andy Murray has been vocal about gender equality in tennis. He has spoken out on various occasions about the need for equal opportunities and recognition for female athletes, including equal pay in tennis tournaments.
Support for equal prize money
Murray has consistently advocated for equal prize money for men and women in tennis tournaments. He has expressed his belief that male and female players should be rewarded equally for their achievements on the court.
Hiring female coaches
Murray has made efforts to address gender disparities in coaching by hiring female coaches. In 2014, he appointed former world No. 1 women’s tennis player Amélie Mauresmo as his coach. This move was notable as it challenged traditional gender norms in coaching roles within men’s tennis.
Participation in mixed doubles
Andy Murray has participated in mixed doubles events, partnering with female players in Grand Slam tournaments, such as his dream team mixed doubles pairing with Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. His decision to play mixed doubles contributes to breaking down gender barriers in tennis and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between male and female athletes.
Promotion of women’s tennis
Murray has actively promoted women’s tennis by highlighting the achievements of female players and supporting women’s tournaments. His public endorsements and positive statements about women’s tennis contribute to increased visibility and recognition for female athletes.
The examples above are obviously public personalities that have the resources to dole out millions in support of women’s sports. Most of us don’t have that privilege.
However, it doesn’t take much to be an ally and to show your support.
- Go to your local team’s NWSL, WNBA, WNCAA games, and experience for yourself how infectious and diverse and family-friendly the atmosphere is in these women’s games.
- Watch women’s sports in the rare times they get broadcasted live on network television or streaming platforms.
- Buy women’s sports merch and wear them proudly. (Do you really need another Red Sox cap or Chiefs jersey?)
- Enroll your daughter and/or niece to sports summer camps and cheer them on loudly.
- Read, listen, consume more women’s sports content, on podcasts or social media.
Women’s sports have made tremendous progress in these last few years, but we still need a united front, both men and women, in order to squash the gender gap in sports once and for all.
Are you with us? ✊🏼
