“I Realized It Was About Them … Not Me”: Women Sports Journalists and Harassment

Abstract

This chapter examines the experiences of 12 women who work in U.S. sports media. The hegemonic masculinity of the sports world traditionally treats women sports journalists as outsiders who receive unequal treatment compared to male media workers. The chapter discusses strategies women sports journalists employ to combat online abuse and in-person harassment on the job. In-depth interviews with the women, who span several generations, show that: (1) they continue to face discrimination; (2) social media has enhanced their work, but has also subjected them to new forms of abuse; (3) they have developed strategies to avoid harassment by bonding with other women sports media workers; and (4) they want social media companies and employers to take actions to stop abusers. Unfortunately, the interviews show that sex discrimination and harassment are driving some younger women away from the profession, keeping sports media male-dominated. Everbach recommends that social media companies and sports media employers take steps to curb gendered threats and other aggression, which could help retain women in the industry.