I love sports. I know many people may find this hard to believe, but I really like sports.

I enjoy watching and participating in sporting events around campus, in the neighborhood, on television, etc.

However, it bothers me that in the year 2010, women’s sports are rarely covered in the media. As a woman, I feel the media should give equal coverage to both men and women in all sports.

When I tuned in to ESPN and various news channels last week, the major focus was about what team Lebron James (a former Clevand Caviler) was going to play for this upcoming season.

James chose to join Dewayne Wade and Chris Bosch to play for the Miami Heat.

Don’t get me wrong-it is exciting to see what new things will unravel in the future for this NBA all-star, but there is more to life and sports than his decision.

In addition, I have discovered sports media in general only dedicates about 5 to 8 percent of coverage to women’s sports.

This is very disappointing because 40 percent of sports participation is by women. This means women athletes domiate almost half of the sports world. So, the question is again: why are women’s sports not being covered more?

On the other hand, when female athletes are featured, many times the athlete is depicted as a mother, a feminist, rough, demeaning or conversely as a very sexual person.

In the media, men have been praised for their athletic abilities and are strengthened, but female athletes are repeatedly praised, mainly for their physical attractiveness.

In various magazines including Sports Illustrated, countless women have posed half naked or in a bikini holding an object that reflects the sports they play. These types of photos and depictions portray women in the role as a sexual object.

Now, when I pick up a magazine with a male sports figure on the cover or in the pages, he is fully clothed and is posed as if standing or placed in power, strong and confident. Again, this is another unacceptable factor that consistently continues to occur. Subsequently, this teaches society to depict and treat women as if they are less than or not equal to a man.

The media’s continual messages of women athletes can cause learned beliefs, but many of these beliefs only reflect stereotypes.

My solution for this problem is to simply change the way media covers sports. Some may say this cannot be done, or male sports bring in more revenue.

However, this change can take place and women’s sports can bring in as much revenue once enough attention, endorsers, etc. participate in making the sports world equal to all. This change will not happen over night, but if we each strive to change the progress will come.

Rashida Lyles-Cowan can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].