By Jason Gonzalez and Dr. Thomas Orr
A recent Tweet containing a tick tok video from Oregon Star Sedona Prince (click here to view her bio) rattled the NCAA administration and the sports world by drawing attention to the perceived inequality of the opportunities and resources afforded to them by their schools and the NCAA. The point was demonstrated even further when compared to the male athletes competing in the same tournament. If a picture says a thousand words, her short video was a mouthful that is leaving the NCAA speechless.
The differences in the weightroom and space allotted were clear and distinct. The site of a passionate and talented student athlete pleading for equal treatment resonated with NBA stars, coaches of girls youth teams, celebrities, politicians and the common fan. This personal testimonial, coupled with common complaints by athletes, coaches, fans and academics prior to the video is creating a hotbed of issues at a time when the NCAA and its member institutions are trying to celebrate the return and glory of March Madness and the biggest stage to showcase the excellence of our student athletes. Olympic virtues of fair competition, integrity, and ethical performances to inspire future generations are consistently being balanced with the socioeconomic interests of the NCAA, Corporate sponsors, and the colleges that seek to make a profit and benefit themselves.
Two popular articles entitled, “NCAA March Madness drops the ball for Women’s Basketball with Sexism Outrage” and “How the NCAA Has Been Screwing over Women’s Sports for Years” are filled with criticism beyond the already incriminating title. In the NBC News article many specific problems are chronicled with pictures, quotes, videos and social media reactions that share frustrations towards the status of women’s sports. The NCAA becomes targeted by many arguments that are quickly backed up with quotes and more information brought into this comprehensive article. The second article and many others provide further evidence and accusations geared towards this concept.
NCAA has a higher standard when it comes to fairness and equality as it relates to gender, because of their affiliation with the federal government and are also beholden to its members who have historically advocated for this critical social value. One particularly strong effort by the NCAA mentioned in Sport and Violence; A Critical Examination of Sport by Drs. Orr and Jamieson states, “The NCAA has initiated programs to improve the general population of athletes by having them attend “YES Clinics” in the town where the Final Four for sports are held. These clinics for large groups of athletes feature athletes attending the Final Four. In addition the NCAA rewards their athletes for being positive role models in their CHAMPS programs. (p. 132) The NCAA has several major prongs of their organization dedicated to inclusion and improving the athletic experience of minorities, which includes an Office of Inclusion.
The debate on what the NCAA needs to go is now at a crucial point as the attention of the world is on the treatment of our female student athletes. It is imperative for the NCAA to show leadership and stewardship worthy of such a great and worthwhile cause. Professional basketball teams and leagues have had a very difficult time providing an equal playing court for female athletes, however this is one of the few places we can search for best practices and solutions to the problem. According to research into the WNBA the league has also been constrained by a need to produce revenue. The authors outline numerous limitations that WNBA teams have due to the lack of money being generated by each team as well as the league in general (Wakefield et al, 2018). Right now, sponsors like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Orange Theory fitness are offering to help out as a result of this event and provide resources as this not only creates an opportunity to do the right thing, but they are being recognized as businesses that care about women in sports. An international dialogue is raging as stakeholders search for solutions and remedies which include long-term funding. Taking advantage of this momentum and finding consistent and long-term sponsors will be paramount to improving the future of women’s sports.