We’re in a golden age when it comes to women’s sports getting visibility and finding success.
The ratings just keep rising for women’s college basketball, the WNBA, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and so many other sports. It’s getting pretty hard for critics to say that no one wants to watch female athletes at the top of their game.
Of course, that doesn’t stop them from trying and being trolls.
Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder, not to mention the husband of Serena Williams, heard from critics this week on X, formerly known as Twitter, when he discussed US Open ratings for the women’s matches.
“The free market speaks (again). Invest in Women’s Sports,” said Ohanian, who owns the NWSL’s Angel FC. “Imagine a world where men didn’t feel threatened by the success of women’s sports. It’s not a zero-sum, folks.”
Facts > Feelings
US viewership of @USOpen finals:
Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka: 3.422 million
Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev: 2.321 millionThe free market speaks (again).
Invest in Women's Sports. @weareangelcity was just the start for me…— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) September 12, 2023
There were those who pointed out that the men’s final went up against the NFL and that the women’s final featured an American (Coco Gauff) while the men’s final did not (even though it featured all-time great Novak Djokovic).
The numbers don’t lie, but that’s probably not going to stop internet trolls from trying to claim victory. Still, it’s hard to argue that women’s sports are being watched more than ever.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.