Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity at ESPN

There are several widely held beliefs regarding women in sports and positions of power. Common sports-related stereotypes are that women can’t run as fast, kick as hard, or do as well as men. Women in positons of power are often vilified and characterized as conniving, ice queens, bitches, and possibly the worst “token.” As the criterion for women in clearly defined roles becomes more specific, certain stereotypes standout. This paper will detail the hardships, persecutions and prejudices that women have faced, and whether they prevailed or faltered, while bridging the gender diversity gap in sports reporting and at the ESPN group. Furthermore, it will detail the benefits of having a diverse media presence as well as the challenges associated with creating such a diverse workforce. Moreover, the paper will discuss the foundation and details regarding the hiring history of ESPN with regards to women.

One contributing factor for the lower number of women in sports could be the stereotype girls hear growing up- you (fill in the blank) like a girl- making it sound like doing anything “like a girl” is a bad thing. That statement has put a stigma on women and women’s sports that needs to change. Sport is one area that should be “separate but equal,” (there are exceptions) because men and women have different physical capabilities which should be considered assets not weakness. Women in the workplace and specifically in the media, have had to overcome the stereotypes associated with women in power and it has been an uphill battle. Many challenges are associated with institutional biases; the most common type is standard of practice bias. This paper addresses the state of gender diversity and the changes that have occurred over the years. In the early days of media and press coverage the industry was composed mostly of men. Over the years men have remained in key powerful positions, and this has perpetuated the standard of practice bias of...