Women's sports won’t win by trying to dunk on men's sports

This men's World Cup has had a little bit of everything: late game heroics, record-breaking performances, shocking upsets, and viral fans.

It’s also produced some of my least favorite content in women’s sports: content that tries to dunk on men’s sports.

Whether it was people chiming in when Messi scored in the group stage to say that he didn’t (at that time) have as many World Cup goals as Marta, or US women’s national team fans openly mocking the men’s team after they lost to Belgium, there’s a small but vocal minority of women’s sports voices that think the way to get involved in the summer’s biggest event is by trying to make fun of its players and fans.

I’ve personally been in conversations where people have said, “Just wait until next year, when the real World Cup begins.”

Let me say something that shouldn’t be controversial. I love sports. And that includes men’s sports! I have been loving this men’s World Cup, just as I loved the NBA Finals, just as I loved watching the Dodgers win the World Series.

I also loved watching Alysa Liu compete at the Winter Olympics and UCLA win the women’s Final Four. And I’m stoked for both the NWSL and WNBA Playoffs this year. Trying to downplay this men’s World Cup does nothing to uplift those women’s sports events.

For years, those of us in women’s sports have fought for them to be celebrated on their own merit. We’ve successfully made the case that women’s sports can be just as entertaining and compelling, regardless of physical differences. We’ve proven that even if the times in the women’s 100-yard dash are slower, the race is just as captivating. And in doing so, we’ve shown people over and over again that women’s sports are not a lesser version of men’s sports, but their own grand entertainment.

So why are we now trying to run the same playbook, saying it’s men’s sports that are inferior, because “the players flop more,” or “aren’t tough,” or their accomplishments are less meaningful because of what their female counterparts have done?

These kinds of comparisons are obnoxious, counter-productive, and a turn-off to fans, while also inviting them to once-again dismiss female athletes for not being as big and fast as men.

They also do nothing to help grow the audience for women’s sports, adopting a needless “us vs. them” mentality pitting fans against each other.

Most people, like me, are not women’s sports fans or men’s sports fans. They’re sports fans. They want to be entertained by high-stakes competition. They love the men’s World Cup, and if we want them to tune in to the women’s World Cup next year, we’re going to need a better promotional strategy than taking potshots at the men.

Women’s sports advocates need to understand: Resentment is a turn-off. Excitement is contagious. And if we want respect we have to show it and lead by example in creating a new sports culture.

When Messi does something awesome, that’s not a time to say “but Marta.” Just as when Marta does something awesome, we don’t need to say “but Messi.” Instead of trying to dunk on the men’s World Cup, let’s enjoy it. We don’t have to talk down on men’s soccer to get fans excited for the NWSL’s return. Mocking the USMNT doesn’t make USWNT fans.

I run a women’s sports media company. What makes all sports fun is the chance to see athletes compete at the highest level. Men’s sports have historically been easy to follow, watch and celebrate. Now, we want to make women’s sports just as easy and fun to follow and enjoy. But bringing men’s sports down is not the same as lifting women’s sports up.

There are billions of people out there enjoying this men’s World Cup. Our goal should be to invite them in, not push them away.

— Haley

PS: We’re hosting a massive fan-facing activation at WNBA All-Star. Going to Chicago? Come hang!