In conclusion, the gender gap in sports media is an important inequality that we must address as a society. Although we have made tremendous progress in women's athletics with the passage of Title IX and the reduction in sexist language on broadcasts in the last 40 years, this progress escapes us in the realm of sports media. Unfortunately, when it comes to sports media, this progress stops short.
The discrepancies in sports media range from broadcast news and highlight shows, to magazines such as Sports Illustrated, to Twitter cyberbullying. Women in the sports world are subject to discrimination through lack of recognition, diminishment into traditional gender roles, and sexual harassment. This message spreads to young girls and discourages them from continuing to play sports.
The continuation of this inequality has severe implications with regards to the rest of society. It perpetuates the idea that men are superior to women, and creates an ugly cycle where women are discouraged to enter sports and sports media networks are allowed to continue neglecting women's athletics. If we ever hope to fix the gender disparities in all aspects of society, this is an issue that must be addressed.