Why Women In Sports Have Always Had To Navigate Politics

While many fans and athletes across the U.S. view sports as an escape from their personal, professional and political stressors, for minoritized individuals, sports have never truly been an escape but a reminder of the persistent inequities in society. As a result, sport has become a platform to advance equity faster than broader societal changes allow, often serving as powerful catalysts for change, especially for those whose rights are continuously challenged.

The results of such efforts often lead to remarkable advancements. For example, the 2024 Olympics will mark the first time in the history of the games where this is equal representation among men and women athletes. However, sports can only sustain their role as a catalyst if those involved—athletes, fans, and employees—continue to uphold and use their platforms to address ongoing inequalities and advocate for further progress. Silence on these issues reveals a troubling sense of individual privilege, overlooking the continuous struggles and sacrifices of those who fought for the opportunities now available.

Sport As A Catalyst for Change

Overall, sport has provided unique opportunities for those in visible positions to promote and advance equity. Importantly, it the U.S., equity is often driven by policy change at the state or federal levels. Due to their visibility, athletes are uniquely positioned to drive policy enactment through their calls for support and visible acts of unity, advocating for critical social change. Here are a few distinct examples of how athletes and teams have used their platforms to drive equity :

Tennis

• Althea Gibson (1950s) was the first Black athlete to compete in and win Grand Slam tournaments breaking racial barriers in a predominantly white sport. Her success helped to break down racial barriers in professional sports and provided a powerful symbol of Black excellence and resilience.

• Billie Jean King (1973) defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” and advanced women’s equality in sports through fighting for equal pay and her support for Title IX policy. King’s involvement in the Battle of the Sexes was a significant moment in the women’s liberation movement, highlighting the capabilities of women athletes and challenging the notion of men’s superiority in sports. King’s victory provided a major boost to the fight for gender equality in sports and beyond, leading to increased support for Title IX, which mandated equal opportunities for women in federally funded education programs, including sports.

Baseball

• Jackie Robinson (1947) broke the MLB color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers and helped pave the way for desegregation in sports and society. At a time when segregation was still prevalent in many areas of society, Robinson’s integration into MLB demonstrated that Black Americans could compete at the highest levels of professional sports. His success helped challenge stereotypes and laid the groundwork for the desegregation of other public and private institutions.

Multi-sport (Education)

• Title IX (1972) mandated gender equality in federally funded education and sports. This law had and continues to have a profound impact on women’s sports, leading to increased funding, opportunities, and participation in athletics for women and girls. Title IX helped to promote gender equity in education and sports, influencing broader societal views on women’s rights and capabilities.

Paralympic Sports

• The Paralympic Movement (1948 onwards) provided competitive opportunities for athletes with disabilities and continues to change perceptions and stereotypes while promoting inclusion and accessibility.

American Football

• Colin Kaepernick (2016) gained national attention for kneeling during the national anthem in protest to police brutality and racial injustice. This sparked a national conversation on racial inequality and police violence, influencing other athletes and leading to broader discussions about systemic racism.

Soccer

• United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) has been a prominent force in the fight for pay equality in sports. Five USWNT players (Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Hope Solo) filed a wage discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This brought national attention to the significant pay disparity between the women’s and men’s teams, highlighting that the women, despite their success and revenue generation, were being paid far less than their men counterparts. In May 2022, the USWNT and USMNT (men’s team) reached a historic collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Soccer that ensured equal pay for both teams, including equalizing World Cup bonuses. This agreement marked a significant milestone in the fight for gender pay equality in sports, setting a precedent for other sports and industries.

Sport And Women’s Rights

Women’s participation in sport has never been a given but a privilege that has been continuously fought for over decades. As a result, for women in sports, silence on political movements and societal inequities often reveals a perceived privilege rather than a genuine detachment. Women involved or invested in sport who remain silent on issues of equity are overlooking the struggles of those who fought for the rights they now enjoy. Sport participation and employment for women and girls have always been hard-won battles, and ignoring ongoing inequalities reveals a troubling sense of individual protection from the broader injustices that persist both within and outside of sports. It is vital for current women athletes, sports figures, fans, and employees to use their platforms to address these continuous inequities and honor the legacy of those who paved the way for their participation and involvement.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election has recently experienced a surge in the involvement of women across sport spaces, once again signaling the distinct connection between sport and political trends. Three-time NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship Head Coach Dawn Staley publicly endorsed current Vice President and Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris via X, while athletes such as Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and Ashlyn Harris, as well as sports media professional Sarah Spain have all assisted with recent political calls to action and fundraising efforts.

As a result, the political involvement of women athletes, professionals, and fans in sustaining and supporting the rights of all women, exemplifies the profound intersection of sport and politics. This activism reflects a historical pattern where sports figures have played crucial roles in political and social movements. By continuing this tradition, current athletes, professionals, and fans contribute to a legacy of using sport as a platform for advocating change and addressing systemic issues. In essence, the involvement of women athletes in political campaigns illustrates how sport and politics intersect, with athletes harnessing their influence to address societal challenges and drive meaningful change.