Growing up, I saw the disparities between the perceptions of sports fans based on gender. While men were praised for cheering for their favourite team or outwardly expressing their opinions on the latest games or trades, female fans were faced with ridicule and scrutiny for doing the same. Instead of being allowed to simply be a sports fan, women must prove their worth within the sports community by “naming five players” or showcasing that their passion towards a team is based on merit and not a level of attractiveness. With this repetitive narrative, this paper and corresponding alternative media website, Explain It to Me Sports aims to combat the masculine hegemony seen in sports fan culture and transform the landscape into one of inclusivity and openness.
Emily Shmyr's Portfolio 