Last week I wrote about the incredible history-making round played by Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson.
Yet there was an important note I left out that I thought I would save for this week.
As some fans may know and others may not, Canadians almost were unable to watch Henderson’s incredible final round.
Why?
Because no network in Canada picked up live coverage of the Canadian Open.
And, with Henderson in the lead heading into the final day it appeared we would not be able to see her final round.
That was until TSN came through in the 11th hour and reached an agreement to show the final round.
Good for TSN for doing that.
But my question is, how come it took until the final round to get any coverage? This is not some regular tournament. This is our national championship.
Yet honestly, national championship or not, it should be televised.
People argue the women shouldn’t get the same coverage because they do not get the same number of eyeballs.
Which may be true, but is that the case because we don’t cover them enough?
If we covered women’s sports as much as men’s, I truly believe the ratings would be relatively equal.
It is hard to get behind athletes when you don’t know who they are.
Women’s sports are no less exciting than men’s, we just don’t know the athletes to the same level.
You look at women’s hockey.
When Canada and the US get together for a game, whether it be exhibition, world championships or Olympics, it is always must-see television.
When Henderson goes head-to-head with the top women’s golfers in the world, it is must-see television.
When the Canadian women’s soccer team plays matches against teams like France, Germany, Brazil or the United States, it is must-see television.
We have all these sports and all these great Canadian athletes, but no one to provide coverage on a consistent basis.
It really confuses me.
When you turn on the television this week to watch the US Open tennis tournament, you might see a men’s match with a player like Roger Federer.
But you also might tune in to a women’s match featuring, potentially Serena Williams.
So why is it that tennis gets relatively equal coverage for men and women?
Is it because the tournaments are held in the same venue and matches are sprinkled in?
It is very likely.
But honestly, together or separate, it should not matter. Women’s sport is must-see television and television networks need to do a better job or providing those must-see moments.
It’s time we gave women’s sports more attention.
