Nine times female sports fan engagement was condescending and sexist
By Dani Bostick
Special Bonus: Is your fan outreach sexist?
It can be hard planning a gendered event without being offensive or appearing patronizing. Here are a few questions to consider when planning your event:
Did you refer to adult females as chicks or girls?
The term “broads” is also questionable. Women aren’t poultry and there is no need to infantilize them.
Did your six-year-old niece help you plan the event?
She might have some great ideas — like glitter and pink — but you might also want to consider consulting an adult female fan as well. And, if your niece is super-girly, that is great, but you might want to let her know that it is OK to play with toys that aren’t pink.
Did you assume your female fans do not know anything about the sport?
There is an actual term for when men explain simple information to women in a condescending tone. It is called mansplaining, and it is not a good thing. Don’t do that at your event.
Also, consider that many of your fans, male and female, are under-educated about the sport not because of their gender, but because the quality of most broadcasts is so poor. “If Texas wants to win, they are going to need to try to score more points than their opponent.” Seriously? That is the level of commentary most fans are subjected to.
Does your event reflect a belief that female fans aren’t real fans?
If your event is for unknowledgeable fans, then include men and women. Basketball 101 and Ladies Night are not synonymous. Many of your female fans are a lot like your male fans — they know a lot about your team’s sport and think gimmicks are goofy.
Do you plan to offer only wine and fruity drinks?
Some teams advertise soda, beer, AND wine at their events. Offering only wine says, “We read a study that women prefer wine to beer, so that is all we will offer.”
Would you go to a guy’s night with the same events and activities?
If glitter, pink, and fashion accessories don’t appeal to you, there’s a good chance they don’t appeal to your female fans either.
Does your fan outreach involve figuring out a way to make the lines to women’s restrooms shorter and more manageable?
Yes? Congratulations, you are on to something.