Trump’s sexism familiar to those in the world of sports – Cascadia Daily News

Report on Gender Dynamics in Professional Sports and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Dichotomy of Progress and Persistent Misogyny

• The professional sports landscape for women is characterized by a significant dichotomy. While experiencing unprecedented economic growth, it simultaneously faces persistent misogyny and gender-based discrimination, which undermines progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• This report analyzes these conflicting trends, with a specific focus on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Economic Advancement in Women’s Sports: A Contribution to SDG 8

• Women’s sports are demonstrating remarkable financial expansion, aligning with the principles of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating new employment opportunities and fostering investment.
• Major corporations and investors now view women’s sports as a viable and profitable investment.

1. WNBA Team Valuations: The Las Vegas Aces, purchased for $2 million in 2021, is now valued at $310 million. Other high-value teams include the New York Liberty ($400 million) and the Indiana Fever ($370 million).
2. Media Rights Deals: The WNBA secured a new 11-year media deal valued at $200 million annually, a substantial increase from the previous $60 million contract.
3. League Expansion: New professional leagues are emerging, including women’s hockey in Seattle and Vancouver, and a professional baseball league scheduled for 2026.
4. Global Recognition: The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature the women’s 100-meter race as the first track and field event, a historic shift from the traditionally male-led schedule.

Systemic Barriers to SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

• Despite economic gains, significant obstacles to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) remain.
• Misogynistic rhetoric from high-profile public figures normalizes demeaning language and perpetuates a culture of disrespect against women in professional roles.
• Incidents of public harassment targeting female athletes undermine their professional environment and reinforce gender-based discrimination.

1. Derogatory Language: A prominent political figure’s use of the term “piggy” towards a female journalist exemplifies a pattern of demeaning women in professional capacities.
2. Public Harassment: Spectators have thrown sex toys onto the court during WNBA games, an act that disrespects the athletes and their profession.
3. Historical Precedent: The harassment of journalist Lisa Olson in 1990 by New England Patriots players and the subsequent victim-blaming by the team owner illustrate the long-standing nature of this issue.

Threats to Safety and Justice: A Violation of SDG 16

• The safety and well-being of female athletes and journalists are under threat, directly contravening the aims of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which seeks to end abuse and all forms of violence.
• The use of social media has exacerbated these risks, providing tools for harassers and stalkers to target individuals.

1. Stalking of Athletes: A report identified at least 52 stalking cases involving prominent athletes, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Emma Raducanu, necessitating enhanced security measures. The WNBA’s move to charter flights was accelerated by a fan encounter that compromised athlete safety.
2. Online Harassment: Female sports journalists face a constant barrage of online abuse, including trolling and credible threats of rape and murder.
3. Physical Violence: The historical case of Monica Seles, who was stabbed on-court by a stalker, and the secretly recorded video of sportscaster Erin Andrews serve as severe reminders of the potential for physical harm and violation of privacy.

Conclusion and Path Forward

• The advancement of women’s sports is a positive development for economic growth (SDG 8) but is severely hampered by systemic gender inequality (SDG 5 & 10) and threats to personal safety (SDG 16).
• Achieving true gender equality requires a concerted effort to dismantle the culture of misogyny that persists in sports and society.
• A key recommendation is for male allies, particularly those in positions of influence within media and sports, to actively condemn misogynistic behavior when it occurs.
• Creating a safe and respectful environment is essential for ensuring that the growth in women’s sports is both sustainable and equitable, fully aligning with the global objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article’s central theme is the juxtaposition of the economic growth in women’s sports with the persistent misogyny, harassment, and discrimination faced by female athletes and journalists. This directly relates to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Issues like demeaning language (“piggy”), sexual harassment (the Lisa Olson incident), online threats, and stalking are all barriers to gender equality.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article extensively discusses the “unprecedented growth and attention” in women’s sports, highlighting it as a booming business. It provides specific examples of economic growth, such as the skyrocketing valuation of WNBA teams and lucrative media deals. This connects to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, and full and productive employment for women in the sports industry.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article details various forms of violence and threats against women, including physical assault (the stabbing of Monica Seles), stalking (Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers), and threats of rape and murder against female journalists. These issues directly address the need to reduce all forms of violence. The mention of athletes seeking police help and legal action (Erin Andrews’ lawsuit) relates to ensuring access to justice for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article highlights discrimination through the use of misogynistic insults like “piggy” and “classic bitch,” and the general disrespect shown to female athletes and journalists.
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. This is directly addressed through examples of stalking, physical assault (Monica Seles), harassment (throwing sex toys on court), and documented threats of rape and murder against female sports journalists.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life. The article discusses the positive side of this target, detailing the growth of women’s professional leagues in hockey, baseball, soccer, and basketball, which represents increased participation in economic and public life.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value. The article’s focus on the business of women’s sports, including team valuations, media deals, and the creation of new professional leagues, points to the creation of employment and the increasing economic value of women’s work in sports. The mention of WNBA labor negotiations also touches upon the pursuit of decent work conditions.
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article explicitly details violence and threats, such as the stabbing of Monica Seles, the stalking of numerous athletes, and murder threats against journalists, which this target aims to reduce.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. This is implied when the article mentions athletes like Paige Bueckers and Emma Raducanu seeking police help for stalkers and the legal case of Erin Andrews, who settled with hotel companies after a stalker recorded her. These actions represent attempts to access justice through legal and law enforcement institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Prevalence of public harassment and discrimination: The article provides qualitative indicators such as the use of demeaning language by public figures, the trend of throwing sex toys onto WNBA courts, and online trolling and threats against female journalists. A reduction in such reported incidents would indicate progress.
   • Number of reported cases of violence and stalking: The article mentions a New York Times report finding “at least 52 stalking cases involving athletes,” which serves as a direct, though undercounted, indicator of violence against women in sports.
   • Economic valuation and media investment in women’s sports: The article provides clear quantitative indicators, such as the Las Vegas Aces’ valuation increasing from $2 million to $310 million and the WNBA’s media deal growing from $60 million to $200 million annually. These figures measure women’s growing participation and recognition in economic life.
2. Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Growth in professional opportunities: The creation of new professional leagues and teams (women’s hockey in Seattle, a women’s professional baseball league) is a direct indicator of expanding employment opportunities for women in sports.
   • Value of media rights deals: The historic $200 million annual media deal for the WNBA is a key financial indicator of the growing economic value of women’s professional sports.
3. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Number of police reports and legal actions taken by victims: The article implies this indicator by citing instances of athletes seeking police assistance for stalking and sportscaster Erin Andrews’ successful lawsuit. An increase in reporting and successful legal outcomes could indicate improved access to justice.
   • Incidents of physical violence against athletes: The stabbing of Monica Seles is a stark example. Tracking the frequency of such violent acts is a direct indicator for Target 16.1.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cascadiadaily.com