I’ve often dreamed about having more women's sports highlighted on television and now that it looks like something appearing to be that animal has appeared in my sights, I seem to have very mixed emotions. Enter the news that the ESPN network will have a new sub-brand espnW that will start as a blog and could end up as its own television channel.
ESPN vice president Laura Gentile states that their own research finds, "Women see us as an admirable brand that has authority. But they see us as their father's brand, or husband's brand, or boyfriend's brand. They recognize it's not theirs."
Actually, I just watch ESPN for the sports: I don’t lay down on the couch and analyze it that much, but there could be some more womens’ sports highlighted…
…but what in the name of Babe Didrikson are they going to put on that channel?
I’ve been reading rumors of Daybreak Yoga and it makes me want to chug a beer and grab my crotch—i.e. I’m pretty insulted. Just because ESPN is going to target women do they have to swing the pendulum so far over to the princess?
V.P. Gentile is overseeing a retreat this week at a Southern California resort — which includes athletes such as Shannon Miller (gymnast), Jennie Finch (softball), Laila Ali (boxer), Julie Foudy (soccer) and Marion Jones (track and field), as well as lots of sports marketers — to toss around ideas for espnW.
Except for Jennie ‘I’m not a lesbian-look at my glitter headband’ Finch this seems like a well-rounded group, right? But then V.P. Laura Gentile makes statements like this:
"The retreat, where we talk about women finding self-esteem in sports and about getting a pedicure, is a reflection of what we want to do with the espnW brand — find a more holistic way of looking at sports."
Self-esteem—great. Holistic approach—excellent. Pedicure??? Sure, on your own time. I love to get one, but what does that have to do with sports? Nothing. Please don’t let this be some watered-down Daylight Yoga dive-bomb. Let this start as a venue to get a broader female audience interested in sports and evolve into and excellent channel to highlight all kinds of womens’ sports.
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