The NCAA has caused some outrage regarding the unequal treatment of women’s basketball.
This all started when several women’s basketball players participating in the tournament shared pictures of the men’s and women’s weight rooms. The men’s facility happens to be an ample open space while the women’s was mats containing one rack of weights. After the picture went viral, other disparaging items came to light as well. For the women’s teams, there were also differences in the food provided, the merchandise given to players, and the promotion of the tournament itself .
Lynn Holzman, NCAA VP of Women’s Basketball, did release a statement on March 18, once the images had gone viral.
“We acknowledge that some of the amenities teams would typically have access to have not been as available inside the controlled environment. In part, this is due to the limited space, and the original plan was to expand the workout area; one additional space was available later in the tournament. However, we want to be responsive to the needs of our participating teams, and we are actively working to enhance existing resources at practice courts. Including additional weight training equipment.”
The damage control was ineffective. The statement released was later refuted in a Tik Tok video posted by, Sedona Prince. The video showed the space within the facility that was not being used. At the end of the video, Prince points out, “If you are not upset about this problem, then you are part of it.” When Prince initially recorded the video, she had no idea the coverage she would be getting once it went viral.
Unfortunately, this issue has plagued women’s sports for years. The outrage that the NCAA has caused also has people saying they had enough. Several coaches have spoken out expressing their disappointment and demand for change by the NCAA.
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley has been speaking out against the organization about their lack of equality. Staley also just scored her 500th win in the opening of the tournament.
Staley starts her letter by stating that “I cannot be quiet.”
Staley points out that the organization makes it very clear that the branding only emphasizes men’s basketball. Staley’s letters also point out what we all have been thinking. It is not about the fact the men received more but the thought behind it. These are all student-athletes who have worked very hard to make it to this tournament. We have experienced an unprecedented year with the coronavirus. I am sure the players are grateful to be having a tournament this year. To make any of the players feel that they are not appreciated to the same level as others is beyond devastating.
Georgia Tech’s women’s basketball coach also penned a letter to the organization stating that the NCAA has shown what they thought about women’s sports which is just an afterthought.
The fact is these issues go beyond just basketball. Women’s sports have a long history of not getting the credit it is due. In 2019, 28 members of the 2015 women’s team sued the soccer federation over gender discrimination. In the complaint, the players accused the organization of lesser pay and unequal working conditions when compared to the men’s national team. The men’s team also did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup. If winning is the ultimate goal and the women’s team is clearly doing that, why are they not appropriately compensated? A question that we have been asking ourselves for years.
The suit reached a settlement in December 2020. The US Soccer Federation agreed to adopt and enforce several equal policies to the men’s team. This included flight resources, hotel accommodations, playing venues, and field surfaces.
It’s 2021, and the Vice President of the United States is a woman. Taking this unequal pay is no longer going to be acceptable, and women are no longer take it. Imagine where women’s sports could be if we started investing the same as men’s sports. As a former student-athlete myself, way back in the day, they work just as hard. They practice just as hard. It’s not fair to say just because you’re a woman, we can’t celebrate you the same exact way.
Victoria is a Disney fanatic and Team Marvel. A Southern Girl and Naturalista but loves a good wig. The epitome of Black Girl Magic. Victoria launched her lifestyle blog this year focusing on inspiring others with her experiences and words. She is inspired by helping women reach their full potential in all aspects of life. Follow her on Instagram at always_withlove_tori
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