Title IX

The 40th anniversary of Title IX has come and gone and, while it is remembered as the piece of legislation that would have the greatest impact on women’s rights since granting women’s suffrage in 1920, I think it is important to realize that it may not have provided the desired results that were envisioned when it was drafted by Senator Birch Bayh in 1972.  

The purpose of the legislation was to provide the “under-represented sex” with the opportunity of equality in federally funded athletic programs, and to bring it to the forefront.  Schools across the country complied and immediately made changes that would allow women’s athletics to be enjoyed by everyone.

Has Title IX succeeded in its intentions?  Sure.  But could it be possible that the negative effects of it has more than nullified what it has accomplished?

An analysis of each sport may provide clarity to the picture I'm trying to paint.  

Basketball:

The WNBA began in 1996 as a direct result of Title IX.  The goal was provide women's basketball with opportunity to showcase the athleticism and natural competitive nature that women possess, and bring it to the forefront.

The result has been dismal.  A large portion of the deficit the that the NBA carried over the last several years has been because of the WNBA.  More embarrassing is the dismal turnout for these games.  Games are almost considered "sold-out" when the court-side seats are filled.  

Could the only popular product to come from the WNBA be this video game?

Soccer:

The only two things that come to mind when thinking about women's soccer are Brandi Chastain and the pictures of the Brazilian women's soccer team.  The similarities are uncanny.

Volleyball:

Misty May and Kerri Walsh may be the greatest beach volleyball tandem that has ever competed.  The combo attracts spectators and viewers from all over the world as they run on a beach sporting bikinis.  It helps that they are actually good at what they do.

Tennis:

Anna Kournikova may be known more for appearances in Sports Illustrated, FHM, and Maxim, but few people realize the great success she enjoyed as the eighth most dominate tennis player in the world.  She never won a title.

Then, there are the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.  Their dominance on the tennis court is well documented.  The irony is that tennis has always taken a backseat to their passion for fashion.  Years past their prime, they are still "competing" and losing everything.  One can only wonder if, at this stage of their careers, they are simply using the court as a convenient runway for their fashion line.  You have to wonder if Serena’s wardrobe malfunction will hurt her line.

Football:

The Lingerie Football League receives more airtime than women’s hockey.  This league of amateur participants volunteer themselves to play simultaneously with the Super Bowl in order to generate ideal interest from their target demographic.  Yes, you read that right, volunteer.  In essence, they are placing themselves in a zoo attended mostly by drunk 21 year-olds.  Perhaps it will be the advent of Victoria's Secret reality catalog.

Hockey: 

See above.

Jennifer Kessey...

Natalie Coughlin...

Amanda Beard...

Dara Torres...

Not to mention the one magazine issue that keeps Sports Illustrated afloat.

Had there been just a couple isolated examples, perhaps it wouldn't have even caught my attention; but the fact that the problem is ubiquitous throughout the entire spectrum of women's sports, the obvious common denominator is Title IX.  In an effort to bring forth sexual equality, it appears that the commercialism of female sexuality is the sole benefactor.  

So if becoming the laughing stock of sports circles was its intent, consider it a success.  If self objectification was its goal, well done, because never before have we seen success of this magnitude.   I'm not going to complain though; Blair O'Neal in a bikini is a lot more pleasant on the eye than Joe Namath in stockings.