What's your thoughts on the WNBA

September 25, 2009


Lack of Shock interest is not sexist, men are just better athletes
By JAMIE SAMUELSEN
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

Jamie Samuelsen, the sports director for the "Deminski & Doyle" morning show on WCSX-FM (94.7), blogs for freep.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. You can reach him at jamsam22@gmail.com and read more of his opinions at freep.com/jamie.

Is the Shock moving the sports needle around here at all? If not, is sexism at play?

I have two daughters. My oldest just started playing soccer and I try to attend all of her practices and games.


But I couldn’t care less about women’s sports.


Am I bad father? I don’t think so. Am I sexist? Absolutely not. Am I a sports fan? You bet.


That’s the bottom line. As sports fans, we want to see the best. And the best basketball players are men. Some liars tried to sell us on the fact that women played a more pure game of basketball when the WNBA started up 10 years ago. But after watching five minutes of one game, I knew that was a complete fabrication. The truth is that women can’t dunk. So they must rely on moving the ball around more and playing for the open shot. To imply that it’s a “better” or “purer” form of basketball is bunk.


Fans want to see the best. This is why pro sports are more popular than minor league sports. When the Wings make a Stanley Cup run, the whole city gets involved. When the Plymouth Whalers make a Memorial Cup run, only the diehards are moved. And there are Shock diehards out there (three or four). I’m sure they enjoy watching this team. But just like the Detroit Fury failed and the Detroit Dogs of the ABA failed, the Detroit Shock face the same issue. The only reason the Shock won’t fail is because they have the backing of David Stern and the NBA. But based on attendance and fan following, they probably should.


Here’s another way to prove that lack of interest in the Shock is not rooted in sexism. Ask a female sports fan. I’ll bet 96% of them couldn’t care less about the Shock. That’s because fans, male or female, want to see the best. And the best players are men.


There are a few exceptions of course. Women’s tennis remains very popular. At the Olympics, women’s skating and gymnastics are far more popular than men’s. Why? I don’t know. Maybe they’re considered less-masculine sports, which DOES speak to the whole sexism in sports theory. But those sports are the exception, not the norm.

Obviously, I do not agree with the writer, but sadly admit most share his opinion. The attendance and support the Shock receive is suprising. I understand its the summer and most want to enjoy the outside activites, however during the playoffs the Shock and Meijer have been giving free tickets away to the home games and the games still were not well attended. Tonight they played in Indiana and the crowd of over 9,000 fans for the Fever was amazing. I was suprised to see the support they had from their community. I love the WNBA and yes the games may be "different" from the NBA, but I find them exciting and enjoy the talent, heart and teamwork given. Just interested in what others think. Leave your thoughts on the WNBA.

It's unfortunate that there's a general apathy about women's sports.

I wonder how much exposure on national TV would help the WNBA?