THERE ARE TOO MANY WOMEN TALKING MEN'S SPORTS ON TV

Published Aug 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM EDT

NFL QB Cam Newton laughs at female reporter's question

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — During a press conference back in 2017, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was asked a question about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ routes by Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue. Cam laughed and replied, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”

After losing his Oikos yogurt endorsement deal, Newton apologized for his opinion, saying it was "extremely degrading and disrespectful to women." Several female sports journalists reacted in an article published by ABC Television, which has the same parent company (Disney) as ESPN.

In the piece, ESPN reporter Michele Steele said, "We're never going to get more women on a football team, but you can include more women in the structure." It became a diversity issue and women talking men's sports rode the woke wave. ESPN and the NFL took the lead, force-feeding their predominately male audience and endless stream of female analysts, hosts and commercials.

As the estrogen increases, men on sports television have been neutered. They're scared to criticize too harshly, always apologizing (Stephen A. Smith) and increasingly come off as gender fluid. Male viewers are turned off and tuning out. Women complain about "mansplaining". Male sports fans are fed up with "womansplaining" and they want a "safe space" of their own.

In 2023, former Indianapolis Colts kicker, Pat McAfee, signed a 5-year, $85 million contract to bring The Pat McAfee Show to ESPN. McAfee attracts a young male audience (18-44) and ESPN has seen a 34% increase in the 18-24 demographic. In addition to the show's unfiltered, relatable style and strong guest interviews, a large part of Pat McAfee's appeal is men talking sports with other men.

We're not saying ban women from sports media. We're just saying give men some space too.