N🟁N

How Should Sports Journalism Adapt To The Women's Sports Boom?

The article "How Should Sports Journalism Adapt to the Women's Sports Boom?" by John Affleck, published on Forbes on June 25, 2025, delves into the significant rise in popularity and coverage of women's sports and the necessary adaptations required in sports journalism to keep pace with this trend. The piece is comprehensive, offering insights from various stakeholders, including journalists, athletes, and media executives, and provides a roadmap for how sports journalism can evolve to better serve and reflect the growing interest in women's sports.

The article begins by highlighting the undeniable surge in interest in women's sports. Affleck cites recent statistics showing increased viewership, attendance, and social media engagement for women's sports events. For instance, the Women's World Cup in 2023 saw record-breaking viewership numbers, and the WNBA reported a significant increase in attendance and merchandise sales. This surge is not limited to traditional sports; women's soccer, basketball, and tennis have all seen substantial growth, but so have newer sports like women's rugby and cricket.

Affleck argues that this boom in women's sports presents both a challenge and an opportunity for sports journalism. The challenge lies in the fact that traditional sports journalism has been predominantly focused on men's sports, with women's sports often relegated to the sidelines. This has resulted in a lack of dedicated coverage, expertise, and resources for women's sports. However, the opportunity is clear: by adapting to the changing landscape, sports journalism can tap into a growing audience and provide more comprehensive and engaging content.

One of the key recommendations Affleck makes is for sports journalism to increase the quantity and quality of coverage of women's sports. This means not only covering more events but also providing deeper analysis, feature stories, and investigative pieces. He points out that many fans of women's sports are hungry for more in-depth content that goes beyond the basic game recaps and highlights. To achieve this, media outlets need to invest in hiring more journalists who specialize in women's sports and have the expertise to cover them effectively.

Another critical aspect of adapting to the women's sports boom is diversifying the voices within sports journalism. Affleck emphasizes the importance of having more women and people of color in sports journalism roles, as they bring unique perspectives and insights that can enrich the coverage of women's sports. He cites examples of successful women sports journalists who have made significant contributions to the field and argues that increasing diversity will lead to more nuanced and comprehensive coverage.

The article also discusses the role of digital media in the coverage of women's sports. Affleck notes that social media platforms and digital outlets have been instrumental in driving interest in women's sports, with athletes using these platforms to connect directly with fans and share their stories. He suggests that sports journalism should leverage these digital tools to engage with audiences in new and innovative ways, such as through interactive content, live streaming, and social media engagement.

Affleck also touches on the importance of storytelling in sports journalism. He argues that compelling narratives are crucial for engaging audiences and that women's sports offer a wealth of stories waiting to be told. From the personal journeys of athletes to the broader social and cultural impacts of women's sports, there is no shortage of material for journalists to explore. He encourages sports journalists to focus on these stories and to use them to build a deeper connection with their audience.

The article also addresses the economic aspect of covering women's sports. Affleck acknowledges that media outlets may be hesitant to invest in women's sports coverage due to perceived financial risks. However, he argues that the growing interest in women's sports presents a significant opportunity for revenue generation. By attracting new audiences and engaging existing ones, media outlets can increase their viewership and advertising revenue. He cites examples of successful media partnerships and sponsorships in women's sports that have proven to be financially viable.

Affleck also discusses the role of sports journalism in advocating for gender equity in sports. He argues that journalists have a responsibility to highlight disparities in funding, resources, and media coverage between men's and women's sports and to push for change. By shining a light on these issues, sports journalism can play a crucial role in advancing gender equity and supporting the growth of women's sports.

The article concludes with a call to action for sports journalism to embrace the women's sports boom and to adapt accordingly. Affleck emphasizes that the future of sports journalism depends on its ability to evolve and meet the needs of a changing audience. By increasing coverage, diversifying voices, leveraging digital tools, focusing on storytelling, and advocating for gender equity, sports journalism can not only survive but thrive in the era of the women's sports boom.

Overall, "How Should Sports Journalism Adapt to the Women's Sports Boom?" provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the current state of women's sports coverage and offers practical recommendations for how sports journalism can adapt to this growing trend. The article is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, media, and gender equity, and it serves as a call to action for the sports journalism community to embrace the opportunities presented by the women's sports boom.

Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaffleck/2025/06/25/how-should-sports-journalism--adapt-to-the-womens-sports-boom/ ]