In closing, I feel that I have gained a great deal of knowledge towards answering my research question. While there is of course no single, clear answer to everything, I have drawn some solid conclusions.
My Question (once again):
How has the female sideline reporter grown to become a fixation in sports broadcasts today?
A few conclusions:
-The transformation of female sportscasters from Mary's to Eve's, potentially due to cultural norms in the late 1990's and the earlier part of this decade.
-The propagandized method of production in which 'sex' sells; these reporters happen to be commonly young and beautiful, thus adding another element of attraction to televised sports events.
The necessity of the female sideline reporter has grown stronger than ever, but the only question that has been left unanswered is whether or not these women are fully respected as necessities in these programs.
- GateHouse News Service's Mike Nadel criticezed Erin Andrews in 2008 after a Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs game for "Her skimpy outfit -- designed to accentuate her, um, positives -- had players leering at her. Some made lewd comments under their breath. Others giggled like 12-year-olds." This according to Street & Smith Magazine's Sports Business Daily.
As Andrews responded by saying that she does not consider herself a "sex object" rather a "tomboy", I begin to wonder if there will ever be an understanding among both male and female spectators that the female sideline reporter is a role in which women cherish the work that they do, and not the attention they draw.
Goodbye My Faithful Readers,
Blog Master Nilsen
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My Works Cited
Primary Sources:
Farhi, Paul. “For TV’s Female Reporters, It’s Strictly a Sideline Job.” The Washington Post. Saturday, January 31, 2009; Pg. A01.
Deggans, Eric. “Was Erin Andrews Video Born From a Sexist Sports Journalism Culture?” St. Petersburg Times. Saturday, July 25, 2009.
New England Sports Network. “Brian Cashman, Heidi Watney discuss Curtis Granderson’s Impact”. December 9, 2009. http://www.nesn.com/2009/12/brian-cashman-heidi-watney-discuss-curtis-grandersons-impact.htm
ESPN. “Joe Namath: I want to Kiss You”. January 7,2004. http://www.spike.com/video/joe-namath-i-want-to/2483773
JUJH. “Female Broadcasters Give New Face to Sports”. January 31, 2006. Https://tv.ku.edu/news/2006/01/31/female-broadcasters-give-new-face-to-sports/
Traina, Jimmy. “Erin Andrews Q & A: TV personality talks about fans, Web, BCS, Britney...” SI.com: Friday November 9, 2007 10:14 am.
Collins, Jessica. “Catching Up With ESPN Sideline Reporter Erin Andrews”. Street & Smith Magazine; Sports Business Daily. Friday October 24, 2008. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/124961
Rosenhaus, Drew. November 2, 2009.
Roberts, Selena. November 2, 2009.
Secondary Sources:
Creedon, Pamela J. Women, Sport, and Media Institutions: Issues in Sports Journalism and Marketing. New York, NY. Routledge: 1998.
Skerski, Jamie. From Sideline to Centerfold: The Sexual Commodification of Female Sportscasters. New York, NY. Routledge: 2007.
Sochen, June. From Mae to Madonna: Women Entertainers in Twentieth Century America. The University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, KY. 1999.
Janechastain.com
Lesleyvisser.com
terezowens.com
nesn.com
http://www.onlinesports.com/sportstrust/sports43.html
americansportscasterassociation.com
Just In Case You Were Wondering,
Blog Master Nilsen
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Mini Case Study: NESN
New England Sports Network is a regional cable television network that covers the six New England states and it owned by both the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins.
You guessed it...I am a native of Wellesley, MA and I have indeed grown up watching nesn develope into one of the best regional sports networks in the country.
For coverage of Red Sox and Bruins games, nesn has two sideline reporters respectively:
Heidi Watney (sideline coverage for the Boston Red Sox) on the left, and Kathryn Tappen (sideline coverage for Boston Bruins) on the right.
By looking at Watney's photo, it is clear that she is wearing a very thin, body-hugging outfit with a lot of jewlery on her hands, neck, and ears. Also notice how she is tilting her head sdieways and staring directly into the eyes of catcher Jason Varitek; a pose that seems a tad flirtatious if I may. Let it be known though, that Watney and Varitek were also rumored to have been dating continuously since last spring.
Tappen is not quite as dolled up as Heidi Watney, however she does has similar make-up and blond-colored hairstlye, both resembling that of the Eve archetype.
On this matter I consider myself a primary source because I have watched both of these women daily when I am at home. They are absolute fixtures on their programs. They NEVER have replacements or substitutes (so there is now doubt these women work hard) but they always dress incredibly well - as though to impress men, oo la la. As I mentioned before, Heidi Watney is dating Jason Varitek according to the Boston Globe and numerous tabloid/news reports when I was home over the summer. This could be a demonstration of closeley the sideline reporters interact with the subjects. Cleary Watney got to know the Red Sox players quite well...and well enough with one player to find a boyfriend. A common theme when the red sox play at their home field, Fenway Park, is when fans make signs asking Heidi Watney to marry them, or love them, much like fans do at games where Erin Andrews is working the sidelines (Sports Business Daily).
In the clip that I have posted below, take note of how close Heidi Watney is in proximity to New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Please also look at her wavy blonde hair style, her low, v-cut shirt and her heavy use of black eye liner. Each of these physical characteristics resemble that of a seductress; Watney is certainly not trying to hide her beauty in this video.
(click here to be sent to link for Heidi Watney video)
Next time I think we will have to say "goodbye",
Blog Master Nilsen
Player Interactions
According to Paul Farhi of the Washington Post, sideline reporters - along with the rest of the media obviously; journalists etc. - have gained a much more personal reltionship with with the professionals that they study so passionately. Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times says that since 1996 there has been a "drastic" increase in terms of female sportcasters doing locker room interviews with male players. I wish there were a number I could put to express how large this influx was, because let me tell you...it was big. According to the ASA, a majority of Lesley Visser's pre and post game interviews were done on the field or in the tunnel, but hardly ever had she interviewed in locker rooms before the late 1990's.
This recent GQ Magazine photo shoot shows Erin Andrews covered in mud, but in a locker room with other muddy football players. The ad obviously has sexual undertones, but more importantly to my work, it shows how comfortable her presence is in the locker room, and can also show how she can be 'just another one of the guys'.
A 2008 survey by the ASA asked players in the NFL if they had given any female reporter their cell phone numbers.
The results found that roughly 56% of NFL starting players have given their number to at least one female news reporter for informational purposes.
While the statistic does not blow my mind, I must realize that there are a lot of starters in the NFL...
What does this prove?:
This at least indicates that women reporters in general are developing closer and more personal connections with players in order to make them feel like friends. What could be the reason for this decrease in player privacy?
Perhaps it's the influx of young, attractive female sideline reporters giving the stars all the attention they so desire.
Another thought that came to mind was that these more tightly knit relationships are causing some male fans or co-workers to grow TOO comfortable around the women on the fields.
Take a look at this video of Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Namath as he essentially sexually harasses ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber. (Just click this text to reach the video link)Where is the respect in that...who cares that he was supposedly drunk.
So what are with these trends of more locker room interviews, closer reporter/player relationships, and increasing disrespect towards the female sideline reporter trying to tell me?
I feel the end is drawing near,
Blog Master Nilsen
This recent GQ Magazine photo shoot shows Erin Andrews covered in mud, but in a locker room with other muddy football players. The ad obviously has sexual undertones, but more importantly to my work, it shows how comfortable her presence is in the locker room, and can also show how she can be 'just another one of the guys'.
A 2008 survey by the ASA asked players in the NFL if they had given any female reporter their cell phone numbers.
The results found that roughly 56% of NFL starting players have given their number to at least one female news reporter for informational purposes.
While the statistic does not blow my mind, I must realize that there are a lot of starters in the NFL...
What does this prove?:
This at least indicates that women reporters in general are developing closer and more personal connections with players in order to make them feel like friends. What could be the reason for this decrease in player privacy?
Perhaps it's the influx of young, attractive female sideline reporters giving the stars all the attention they so desire.
Another thought that came to mind was that these more tightly knit relationships are causing some male fans or co-workers to grow TOO comfortable around the women on the fields.
Take a look at this video of Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Namath as he essentially sexually harasses ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber. (Just click this text to reach the video link)Where is the respect in that...who cares that he was supposedly drunk.
So what are with these trends of more locker room interviews, closer reporter/player relationships, and increasing disrespect towards the female sideline reporter trying to tell me?
I feel the end is drawing near,
Blog Master Nilsen
Where the Sideline Reporter Fits In
While I have the chance, I would like to share with you all the basic structure and componennts of a typical broadcasted event.
According to Lou Schwartz of the ASA, in a typical CBS football broadcast there will be:
-1 play-by-play personality
-1 color commentator
-between 2 and 5 'in-studio' hosts / halftime reporters
-between 1 and 2 sideline reporters, depending upon the size of the venue and the magnitude of the coverage.
How much do these personalities make? (each number according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
-The average salary for play-by-play and color commentators is around $145k, but a majority of big names earn between $300,000 and $600,000.
-Among many other in-studio hosts, a personality such as Terry Bradshaw receives roughly $2.5 million, while ESPN host Chris Berman earns between $600,000 and $1 million a year.
-As for our lowly sideline reporter, well he/she actually makes around $70,000 per year on average.
Then again, through my research I have found that money is not being used to discriminate these women, rather it is the societal respect that they receive from viewers.
Hoping to make SOME kind of money after college,
Blog Master Nilsen
According to Lou Schwartz of the ASA, in a typical CBS football broadcast there will be:
-1 play-by-play personality
-1 color commentator
-between 2 and 5 'in-studio' hosts / halftime reporters
-between 1 and 2 sideline reporters, depending upon the size of the venue and the magnitude of the coverage.
How much do these personalities make? (each number according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
-The average salary for play-by-play and color commentators is around $145k, but a majority of big names earn between $300,000 and $600,000.
-Among many other in-studio hosts, a personality such as Terry Bradshaw receives roughly $2.5 million, while ESPN host Chris Berman earns between $600,000 and $1 million a year.
-As for our lowly sideline reporter, well he/she actually makes around $70,000 per year on average.
Then again, through my research I have found that money is not being used to discriminate these women, rather it is the societal respect that they receive from viewers.
Hoping to make SOME kind of money after college,
Blog Master Nilsen
How Has the Work Load Changed?
Erin Andrews said in an interview with Street & Smith magazine's, Jessica Collins, that she studies more now than she ever did in college...
Okay well I am a college student currently myself and I have no desire to broaden the amount of studying that I do for things.
When asked about common misconceptions people have towards her, Andrews also responded by saying, "I think a lot of people think it’s really, really glamorous, and there are times when you are in the pouring rain or you’re running up and down the sidelines and you trip and fall, or you have to eat a hot dog just to get two seconds of nourishment in before you go grab a coach. You’re like "Ah, this is so glamorous."
Okay Erin, we get it, you life is NOT glamorous.
Former Boston Red Sox field reporter, Tina Cervasio said upon her leaving the network that, "There were many 10-12 hour days, and that was just at the ballpark. That doesn’t include waking up early, reading all the clips, calling people, setting up interviews, rewriting stuff. That all went on before I got to the ballpark."
Being a sideline reporter today clearly seems to be a burn-out type of job. Most of the blame for this I put on the amount of incredible technology that allows us to do so much at once. Unfortunately, these advances seem to be speeding ahead of us so that we almost cannot keep up. This leads my to my next question:
Was the job always this time-consuming? Perhaps it had even further requirements early on that made it more difficult for women to work as sideline reporters...
(2007 - janechastain.com)
Into the middle part of her career, Jane Chastain recalled to the ASA that she had to do her own research almost every day ("95%" of the time she said). She also mentioned that getting in person interviews was her most crucial quest as a sideline reporter. It seems obvious to me that player interviews were the heart of Chastain's work because of her inability to access something like the internet.
While it has not been discussed about how technology and the internet may have impacted the transformation of female sideline reporters (I have not found anything within my research), I can detect a distinct correlation between the emergence of young and attractive women as sideline reporters and the availability of news and information, as a result of the internet's existence.
getting in touch with my inner sports reporter,
Blog Master Nilsen
Okay well I am a college student currently myself and I have no desire to broaden the amount of studying that I do for things.
When asked about common misconceptions people have towards her, Andrews also responded by saying, "I think a lot of people think it’s really, really glamorous, and there are times when you are in the pouring rain or you’re running up and down the sidelines and you trip and fall, or you have to eat a hot dog just to get two seconds of nourishment in before you go grab a coach. You’re like "Ah, this is so glamorous."
Okay Erin, we get it, you life is NOT glamorous.
Former Boston Red Sox field reporter, Tina Cervasio said upon her leaving the network that, "There were many 10-12 hour days, and that was just at the ballpark. That doesn’t include waking up early, reading all the clips, calling people, setting up interviews, rewriting stuff. That all went on before I got to the ballpark."
Being a sideline reporter today clearly seems to be a burn-out type of job. Most of the blame for this I put on the amount of incredible technology that allows us to do so much at once. Unfortunately, these advances seem to be speeding ahead of us so that we almost cannot keep up. This leads my to my next question:
Was the job always this time-consuming? Perhaps it had even further requirements early on that made it more difficult for women to work as sideline reporters...
(2007 - janechastain.com)
Into the middle part of her career, Jane Chastain recalled to the ASA that she had to do her own research almost every day ("95%" of the time she said). She also mentioned that getting in person interviews was her most crucial quest as a sideline reporter. It seems obvious to me that player interviews were the heart of Chastain's work because of her inability to access something like the internet.
While it has not been discussed about how technology and the internet may have impacted the transformation of female sideline reporters (I have not found anything within my research), I can detect a distinct correlation between the emergence of young and attractive women as sideline reporters and the availability of news and information, as a result of the internet's existence.
getting in touch with my inner sports reporter,
Blog Master Nilsen
The Late Emergence of Eve
Now I would like to try and connect the idea that sportscaster are "barbies on air" (as Lou Schwartz joked) to themes or trends of the late 1990's and early 2000's that followed the idea that "sex sells".
Popular '90's trends:
- E! Television sees an audience surge in late 1990's glamorizing celebrities like Madonna and turns Marilyn Monroe in iconic figure throughout photos and quotes.
(Photo from Eonline.com)
- By 1997, the thong has gained nationwide acceptance and popularity among women.
- and finally, the fact that the number of teens and adults who have received breast augmentation since 1997 has tripled according to the National Research Center for Women and Families.
Now I am sure you are all saying that these trends have no direct correlation to the necessity of female sideline reporters today, however I feel that they do. Each of these trends shows that Americans have (through the media) gained a much greater acceptance of women expressing their sexuality.
Fore example, when Marilyn Monroe was still alive, her work was enjoyed by many, but it also faced serious criticism for her use of beauty as a "marketable commodity", as June Sochen said. When E! became popular, she was made into an instant icon of beauty and sexuality, thus making it okay for other American women to aspire to be like her.
I now believe that the emergence of accepted female sexuality in the 1990's and the early part of this decade has enabled sports productions to use the female sideline reporter as the staple for balance between competative intensity and sexuality (both of which draw a great deal of interest from viewers). Here lies the Eve of the sports broadcast system today.
Much more later on,
Blog Master Nilsen
Popular '90's trends:
- E! Television sees an audience surge in late 1990's glamorizing celebrities like Madonna and turns Marilyn Monroe in iconic figure throughout photos and quotes.(Photo from Eonline.com)
- By 1997, the thong has gained nationwide acceptance and popularity among women.
- and finally, the fact that the number of teens and adults who have received breast augmentation since 1997 has tripled according to the National Research Center for Women and Families.
Now I am sure you are all saying that these trends have no direct correlation to the necessity of female sideline reporters today, however I feel that they do. Each of these trends shows that Americans have (through the media) gained a much greater acceptance of women expressing their sexuality.
Fore example, when Marilyn Monroe was still alive, her work was enjoyed by many, but it also faced serious criticism for her use of beauty as a "marketable commodity", as June Sochen said. When E! became popular, she was made into an instant icon of beauty and sexuality, thus making it okay for other American women to aspire to be like her.
I now believe that the emergence of accepted female sexuality in the 1990's and the early part of this decade has enabled sports productions to use the female sideline reporter as the staple for balance between competative intensity and sexuality (both of which draw a great deal of interest from viewers). Here lies the Eve of the sports broadcast system today.
Much more later on,
Blog Master Nilsen
Taking a Deeper Look at the First Female Sportscasters
According to ASA president Lou Schwartz, Jane Chastain, Donna De Varona, and Jeannie Morris are pioneers of womens' sports broadcasts. Chastain, who started her sportscasting career in the mid-60's, was the first female to be hired by a large network (CBS), and she was thought to be the first woman to do play-by-play. On multiple occasions, Chastain compained of co-workers being hesitant about working with a woman in the broadcast.
In 1976, Lesley Visser said this, "When women(sportscasters) are given greater responsibilities and prove that they can manage them, they build a good reputation as sportscasters." according the ASA internet database.
It is evident that the early implementations of women sportscasters were fairly widely disliked by male sportscasting partners.
With that said, it was not always the case; in 1980 the former voice of the Chicago Cubs baseball team and a now ASA Hall of Famer, Jack Brickhouse said this of the woman's contribution to a program, "Women have another dimension that men cannot give. They can give a female's insight into women athletes in swimming, golf, basketball, tennis, etc. How does a man know what problems a woman would have in a particular sport?"
A truly touching account, right?
Well not so much, considering that many women enjoy being members of crews that cover sports with men in them; major sports broadcasts, like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and men's college sports as well.
It was not until 1989 when CNN hired Hanna Storm, that a woman has been granted the title of 'Sports Anchor' on a program.
While I am going through my research on the early times of female sportscasters, I continuously find myself reading some bubbly writing that seemingly avoids many peoples disrespect for the female sportscaster. I have read plenty of nice, promising quotes - like the one I cited earlier from Jack Brickhouse - but they say things that promote their involvement in a minor sense; a sense that it much more minimal than that of a male's job.
Quick Bathroom break time,
Blog Master Nilsen
In 1976, Lesley Visser said this, "When women(sportscasters) are given greater responsibilities and prove that they can manage them, they build a good reputation as sportscasters." according the ASA internet database.
It is evident that the early implementations of women sportscasters were fairly widely disliked by male sportscasting partners.
With that said, it was not always the case; in 1980 the former voice of the Chicago Cubs baseball team and a now ASA Hall of Famer, Jack Brickhouse said this of the woman's contribution to a program, "Women have another dimension that men cannot give. They can give a female's insight into women athletes in swimming, golf, basketball, tennis, etc. How does a man know what problems a woman would have in a particular sport?"
A truly touching account, right?
Well not so much, considering that many women enjoy being members of crews that cover sports with men in them; major sports broadcasts, like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and men's college sports as well.
It was not until 1989 when CNN hired Hanna Storm, that a woman has been granted the title of 'Sports Anchor' on a program.
While I am going through my research on the early times of female sportscasters, I continuously find myself reading some bubbly writing that seemingly avoids many peoples disrespect for the female sportscaster. I have read plenty of nice, promising quotes - like the one I cited earlier from Jack Brickhouse - but they say things that promote their involvement in a minor sense; a sense that it much more minimal than that of a male's job.
Quick Bathroom break time,
Blog Master Nilsen
COM 215 Media Theories (cont.)
I have been doing some serious thinking about the theory from class, I think most clearly connects to my research question. While I would like to involve a little bit of presentism in my analysis, I have found it slightly challenging to consistently do so. NOW I would like to introduce the theory of archetypes to you all. After doing much research for my previous post on physical appearance, it dawned on me that these women are falling directly into different character archetypes that create a distinct change in overall style.
Of course my research question is actually asking how these women became fixtures in sports broadcasts...
I am beginning to see that it has been the change in terms of physical appearance that has created such a high demand for sexier, but still credible, female sideline reporters.
The three female archetypes are as follows:
Lilith - is the more imdependent woman
Mary - is the innocent, kindred spirit
Eve - is the sexual temptress
From the images I showed in my last post, Visser seems to portray the Lilith archetype, shwoing through her dress that she is hard-working, independent, and is well put together and organized. Andrews seems to have a stronger Eve sense within her dress. While she indeed looks innocent because of the sweater she is wearing, her leopard print and tan skin give her a more sassy look.
Could it be that the female sideline reporter's transformation from a Lilith to an Eve provoked a common necessity among sports networks that women sportscasters are important program features?
The Plot Thickens,
Blog Master Nilsen
Of course my research question is actually asking how these women became fixtures in sports broadcasts...
I am beginning to see that it has been the change in terms of physical appearance that has created such a high demand for sexier, but still credible, female sideline reporters.
The three female archetypes are as follows:
Lilith - is the more imdependent woman
Mary - is the innocent, kindred spirit
Eve - is the sexual temptress
From the images I showed in my last post, Visser seems to portray the Lilith archetype, shwoing through her dress that she is hard-working, independent, and is well put together and organized. Andrews seems to have a stronger Eve sense within her dress. While she indeed looks innocent because of the sweater she is wearing, her leopard print and tan skin give her a more sassy look.
Could it be that the female sideline reporter's transformation from a Lilith to an Eve provoked a common necessity among sports networks that women sportscasters are important program features?
The Plot Thickens,
Blog Master Nilsen
Physical Appearance (attire/make-up)
Being that she is the first and only woman enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and that she is the only woman ever to be assigned the sideline job at a Super Bowl (this according to the American Sportscaster Asscociation), I feel that Lesley Visser is a prefect basis for comparison to today's sportscasters. While Visser still does some work today, her pioneer status among sportscasters springs from her early days as the "first really big female on the sidelines", said Paul Farhi of the Washington Post.
Here is a picture of Visser at the Super Bowl Pregame coverage in 2003 (note: according to Eric Deggans - St. Petersburg Times, the trend of young, attractive reporters hit "full force" in 2005):
lesleyvisser.com
In this image, it is important to notice how Visser is wearing a women's sport coat, and is showing off very little of her neck line. Well hello...the Super Bowl is not played in cool weather, it is played in cities like Miami, FL so she has no need for long sleeves altogether. With that said, she is showing off her "professionalism and class", something that Jamie Skerski - author of the book, From Sideline to Centerfold: The Sexual Commodification of Female Sportscasters - claims Visser and other female sideline talents strived for in their dress during the 1990's and clearly into the early part of this decade. In the image, Visser's hair is fairly short - for a woman's standards - and is held up with hair spray, a trend that, according to paulmitchell.com was considered the the #1 most popular hair style among women in their 40's. Now, I am not trying to make rude generalizations about woman, or even unsult those who are near the age of my parents, but in 2003 Lesley Visser was 50 years old, and was clearly continuing a fashion trend that saw it's 'hay-day' in the '90's.
While I should obviously not discriminate age within my research, it is now possible that I can conclude that early female sportcasters focused moreso on a classy look rather than a more 'sexy' choice.
Up next I have an image of the lovely miss Erin Andrews, one of "the most sought after female sportscasters in America" according to Jessica Collins of Street & Smith magazine's, Sports Business Daily. Collins also claims that Andrews "is obviously the most popular female sportscaster among male viewers".
Notice in this picture of Andrews from ESPN.com, that she is wearing a lot of jewlery (bracelet, earings, and a necklace). Also notice that she has her hair down; it is long and wavey, giving off a Farah Fawcett on Charlies Angels type of vibe. She is also wearing a leopard print, relatively low-cut undershirt. Leopard print is clearly a sensual and seductive style of shirt to wear and surely gives off a much more 'sexy' look rather than a more conservative, Lesley Visser resemblence.
Another aspect of these photos that I chose to examine was each woman's choice of make-up use:
Clearly, Visser is wearing heavy amounts of light cover-up to make her appear blemishless within the view of the camera. However, Andrews chose to - in this particular instance - use a light amount of darker (tanner) cover-up with blush in order to make her cheeks seem more rosie, and thus make her look younger or more youthful.
From these photographs, I can begin to see a concrete difference in terms of clothing and make-up stlyes.
If I had to guess, I would say that a majority of American's in the teens, and early 20's (people in my cohort) can watch Lesley Visser and see her as less satisfactory due to her overall physical appearance, as compared to that of the sportscasters we see much more of these days (i.e. Erin Andrews etc.).
Keep reading, the ideas are a flowin',
Blog Master Nilsen
Here is a picture of Visser at the Super Bowl Pregame coverage in 2003 (note: according to Eric Deggans - St. Petersburg Times, the trend of young, attractive reporters hit "full force" in 2005):
lesleyvisser.com
In this image, it is important to notice how Visser is wearing a women's sport coat, and is showing off very little of her neck line. Well hello...the Super Bowl is not played in cool weather, it is played in cities like Miami, FL so she has no need for long sleeves altogether. With that said, she is showing off her "professionalism and class", something that Jamie Skerski - author of the book, From Sideline to Centerfold: The Sexual Commodification of Female Sportscasters - claims Visser and other female sideline talents strived for in their dress during the 1990's and clearly into the early part of this decade. In the image, Visser's hair is fairly short - for a woman's standards - and is held up with hair spray, a trend that, according to paulmitchell.com was considered the the #1 most popular hair style among women in their 40's. Now, I am not trying to make rude generalizations about woman, or even unsult those who are near the age of my parents, but in 2003 Lesley Visser was 50 years old, and was clearly continuing a fashion trend that saw it's 'hay-day' in the '90's.
While I should obviously not discriminate age within my research, it is now possible that I can conclude that early female sportcasters focused moreso on a classy look rather than a more 'sexy' choice.
Up next I have an image of the lovely miss Erin Andrews, one of "the most sought after female sportscasters in America" according to Jessica Collins of Street & Smith magazine's, Sports Business Daily. Collins also claims that Andrews "is obviously the most popular female sportscaster among male viewers".
Notice in this picture of Andrews from ESPN.com, that she is wearing a lot of jewlery (bracelet, earings, and a necklace). Also notice that she has her hair down; it is long and wavey, giving off a Farah Fawcett on Charlies Angels type of vibe. She is also wearing a leopard print, relatively low-cut undershirt. Leopard print is clearly a sensual and seductive style of shirt to wear and surely gives off a much more 'sexy' look rather than a more conservative, Lesley Visser resemblence.Another aspect of these photos that I chose to examine was each woman's choice of make-up use:
Clearly, Visser is wearing heavy amounts of light cover-up to make her appear blemishless within the view of the camera. However, Andrews chose to - in this particular instance - use a light amount of darker (tanner) cover-up with blush in order to make her cheeks seem more rosie, and thus make her look younger or more youthful.
From these photographs, I can begin to see a concrete difference in terms of clothing and make-up stlyes.
If I had to guess, I would say that a majority of American's in the teens, and early 20's (people in my cohort) can watch Lesley Visser and see her as less satisfactory due to her overall physical appearance, as compared to that of the sportscasters we see much more of these days (i.e. Erin Andrews etc.).
Keep reading, the ideas are a flowin',
Blog Master Nilsen
Monday, December 7, 2009
Connecting to the Theories of COM 215
As I had mentioned in my previous blog post, I have slightly altered the direction of my research question; a necessary action in order to angle my work in a more historical fashion. With that said, I wanted to tell you all about my constant thoughts on what theory, from Dr. Ryan's COM 215 class, most tightly knits with with the mesh of my question.
What did I come up with? :
The theory of presentism."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, presentism "is a a mode of historical analysis in which present-day ideas and perspectives are anachronistically (pertaining to or containing an anachronism) introduced into depictions or interpretations of the past. Some modern historians seek to avoid presentism in their work because they believe it creates a distorted understanding of their subject matter."
After learning more about this theory I established that I would like to look more closely at the vision of the first female sideline reporters...
Presentism is involved in the vision of the female sideline reporters because it can show how people today may have a hard time understanding how the first female sideline reporters may have been different in style, or in terms of how the media audience saw them.
I have uploaded two photos for comparison (Lesley Visser in green; Michele Tafoya in blue).
I will dive more analytically into these images in my next post, but a key thing to note is how Visser looks much more laid back and somewhat pale, Tafoya looks sheik and sexy. Her skin is much darker and tan looking, and her oufit is much more unique and ditinct.
cbssportsline.com
I won't be gone as long next time,
Blog Master Nilsen
What did I come up with? :
The theory of presentism."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, presentism "is a a mode of historical analysis in which present-day ideas and perspectives are anachronistically (pertaining to or containing an anachronism) introduced into depictions or interpretations of the past. Some modern historians seek to avoid presentism in their work because they believe it creates a distorted understanding of their subject matter."
After learning more about this theory I established that I would like to look more closely at the vision of the first female sideline reporters...
Presentism is involved in the vision of the female sideline reporters because it can show how people today may have a hard time understanding how the first female sideline reporters may have been different in style, or in terms of how the media audience saw them.
I have uploaded two photos for comparison (Lesley Visser in green; Michele Tafoya in blue).
I will dive more analytically into these images in my next post, but a key thing to note is how Visser looks much more laid back and somewhat pale, Tafoya looks sheik and sexy. Her skin is much darker and tan looking, and her oufit is much more unique and ditinct.
cbssportsline.com
I won't be gone as long next time,
Blog Master Nilsen
Monday, November 9, 2009
My Interview with Drew Rosenhaus and Selena Roberts
Oh boy do I have some great stuff to share with you all after the great opportunity I had last Monday afternoon. I was fortunate enough to meet (along with a couple of other students) with two tremendously influential figures in sports media today, NFL super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, and sports journalist Selena Roberts.
Drew Rosenhaus is an NFL super-agent (a term typically granted to those who amass over a hundred clients) and the founder of Rosenhaus Sports Management, based in Miami, Fl. As an agent, it is Drew’s job to represent his clients through their business, as well as some of their financial and legal standing. The media’s ticket to an athlete like Chad OchoCinco – a very popular and eccentric character in the NFL – is through Drew Rosenhaus. He manages what his players should and should not say to the media, and when his clients take ‘heat’ from the media, so does he.
Selena Roberts is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. She is also a well-accomplished author. Roberts’ experience in the field of journalism alone will help me to gain a greater perspective on the potential necessity of female sideline reporters. She herself is a female journalist, making her a part of many similar demographics that the women I am studying are in. She has done work with many female ‘sideline’ reporters in her past including, Michele Tafoya, Nancy Smith, and even Erin Andrews – something she mentioned in her book A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez.
Going into this interview, nerves and worry had struck me so hard that I even - at one point - forgot what the subject of the interview was.
I was nervous both because of the magnitude of this meeting, and with the thought that these people may potentially not answer my questions the way I would like them to (I don't mean this in terms of the answers they may have given me, but in terms of their opwn personal fears of answering questions that they may feel to be 'too controversial'). With that said, I made sure, prior to our 4 pm meeting time at the Goggin Ice Arena, that I didn't make my questions elude to the sexual connotations I have hit upon previously in the blog.
As Rosenhaus kicked our session off by introducing himself in the intense and aggressive manner that he is so notorious for in recruiting clients, I could immediately tell that it was going to take some force on my part to make sure my questions were comprehended in the fullest.
Rosenhaus and Roberts had nevered met before, and they were quite an interesting combination, especially with regards to their opinions and notes on the female sports sideline reporter. Typically, a journalist and an agent would seem to be enemies, considering that the journalists goal is to dig up information (good and bad) on an agents prized clients.
Before I was even able to speak, Selena began to discuss - from her journalistic perspective - how "players today are product of title IX". She mentioned that players used to be extremely uncomfortable when she was trying to interview them simply because she was a woman and they would have a tough time relating with her.
Rosenhaus, added onto this, however he was more focused on stressing the importance of professionalism in sports media and management. Both Rosenhaus and Roberts have seen young and attractive women in their professions use their physical appearance and sex to get both stories and clients among other things within the respective businesses. As a viewer of sports on television I notice that a majority of the women working the sidelines happen to be quite attractive.
When it came time for me to state my actual research question, I had felt confident that I could arise some somewhat valid answers out of my subjects.
Boy was I caught off guard...
Here is the the transcription of this point in my interview:
Both subjects later went on to say that 'being nice looking' has almost become the quota of the female sideline reporter. The most groundbreaking thing that Roberts said to me was that these women are NOT needed, and "until they make their ways into the booth, they're nothing but somebody who is nice to look at an can read fairly well."
Early on in speaking with Selena Roberts, I heard her mention several times that she knows and respects personalities like Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber, and she felt that they were truly gifted media personnel. Both of these women were sideline reporters in the '90's and into today. If both Selena and Drew feel that the female sideline reporter position is unneeded today then it would appear to me that the job title has not developed into a necessity, rather it has deevolved from classy, intelligent women who exemplify professionalism in sports reporting, to typecasted young adult women wearing the highest fashion to magnify their unfurbished bone structures.
I truthfully expected to be bored with this interview. Not because I did not feel lucky to have these amazing people as interviewees, but because I was at a point in my research where I did not know what would come next. I had noticed myself through reading books and watching video clips that I had kept circulating around the same central themes of the topic: that women are being more universally accepted in the media, and that is why they appear in so many different sideline jobs. I also just assumed that due to the stature of these professionals that they would try to avoid saying anything confrontational to a student no less.
Well I was dead wrong. The fact that both subjects even agreed on answers shocked me, but the fact that they ravished the concept of sideline reporters altogether was astonishing. They did not care that more women were making their way into broadcast’s, they criticized both the structure of the position itself, as well as the women who get employed in these roles. This shocked me into my own personal ‘journalistic’ mindset and I finally realized that I had been dancing around the idea that female sideline reporters are emerging rapidly. What I need to realize is that they have already emerged and are in full force, the issue is that they are not necessarily a staple of the programs. From this I must change my question and ask, not “if” female sideline reporters are a necessity, but “how” they have become that way. It is only a minor change, but I feel that I have an all new purpose with my research because I am now able to look at my research in a more ambitious, but slightly negative fashion.
Don't shut off your PC...or Mac,
Blog Master Nilsen
Works Cited:
Roberts, Selena. Rosenhaus, Drew. Personal. Nov. 2, 2009.
Drew Rosenhaus is an NFL super-agent (a term typically granted to those who amass over a hundred clients) and the founder of Rosenhaus Sports Management, based in Miami, Fl. As an agent, it is Drew’s job to represent his clients through their business, as well as some of their financial and legal standing. The media’s ticket to an athlete like Chad OchoCinco – a very popular and eccentric character in the NFL – is through Drew Rosenhaus. He manages what his players should and should not say to the media, and when his clients take ‘heat’ from the media, so does he.
Selena Roberts is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. She is also a well-accomplished author. Roberts’ experience in the field of journalism alone will help me to gain a greater perspective on the potential necessity of female sideline reporters. She herself is a female journalist, making her a part of many similar demographics that the women I am studying are in. She has done work with many female ‘sideline’ reporters in her past including, Michele Tafoya, Nancy Smith, and even Erin Andrews – something she mentioned in her book A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez.
Going into this interview, nerves and worry had struck me so hard that I even - at one point - forgot what the subject of the interview was.
Actually, let's say that this was more of a small-group Q & A session; a personalized press conference if you will.
I was nervous both because of the magnitude of this meeting, and with the thought that these people may potentially not answer my questions the way I would like them to (I don't mean this in terms of the answers they may have given me, but in terms of their opwn personal fears of answering questions that they may feel to be 'too controversial'). With that said, I made sure, prior to our 4 pm meeting time at the Goggin Ice Arena, that I didn't make my questions elude to the sexual connotations I have hit upon previously in the blog.
As Rosenhaus kicked our session off by introducing himself in the intense and aggressive manner that he is so notorious for in recruiting clients, I could immediately tell that it was going to take some force on my part to make sure my questions were comprehended in the fullest.
Rosenhaus and Roberts had nevered met before, and they were quite an interesting combination, especially with regards to their opinions and notes on the female sports sideline reporter. Typically, a journalist and an agent would seem to be enemies, considering that the journalists goal is to dig up information (good and bad) on an agents prized clients.
Before I was even able to speak, Selena began to discuss - from her journalistic perspective - how "players today are product of title IX". She mentioned that players used to be extremely uncomfortable when she was trying to interview them simply because she was a woman and they would have a tough time relating with her.
Rosenhaus, added onto this, however he was more focused on stressing the importance of professionalism in sports media and management. Both Rosenhaus and Roberts have seen young and attractive women in their professions use their physical appearance and sex to get both stories and clients among other things within the respective businesses. As a viewer of sports on television I notice that a majority of the women working the sidelines happen to be quite attractive.
When it came time for me to state my actual research question, I had felt confident that I could arise some somewhat valid answers out of my subjects.
Boy was I caught off guard...
Here is the the transcription of this point in my interview:
ME:
“Yes I would like to get both the male and female perspective on this, so could we just step back to the talk about women in you businesses, and well I am conducting research currently on the potential emergence of the female sideline reporter in broadcasts of sports – obviously, Drew I am sure you see this in the NFL -. Do either of you feel there is now a necessity for these figures on TV?”
DREW ROSENHUAS:
“NO way ugh!”
SELENA ROBERTS:
“ Oh Drew is right there is no reason to have these women down there, I assume you’re referring to like Erin Andrew, right – I mean I think she’s real smart - but what is she doing with that job. Yea it’s a great way to incorporate women, but they’re just going to get thrown right into the kitchen.”
“Yes I would like to get both the male and female perspective on this, so could we just step back to the talk about women in you businesses, and well I am conducting research currently on the potential emergence of the female sideline reporter in broadcasts of sports – obviously, Drew I am sure you see this in the NFL -. Do either of you feel there is now a necessity for these figures on TV?”
DREW ROSENHUAS:
“NO way ugh!”
SELENA ROBERTS:
“ Oh Drew is right there is no reason to have these women down there, I assume you’re referring to like Erin Andrew, right – I mean I think she’s real smart - but what is she doing with that job. Yea it’s a great way to incorporate women, but they’re just going to get thrown right into the kitchen.”
Both subjects later went on to say that 'being nice looking' has almost become the quota of the female sideline reporter. The most groundbreaking thing that Roberts said to me was that these women are NOT needed, and "until they make their ways into the booth, they're nothing but somebody who is nice to look at an can read fairly well."
Early on in speaking with Selena Roberts, I heard her mention several times that she knows and respects personalities like Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber, and she felt that they were truly gifted media personnel. Both of these women were sideline reporters in the '90's and into today. If both Selena and Drew feel that the female sideline reporter position is unneeded today then it would appear to me that the job title has not developed into a necessity, rather it has deevolved from classy, intelligent women who exemplify professionalism in sports reporting, to typecasted young adult women wearing the highest fashion to magnify their unfurbished bone structures.
I truthfully expected to be bored with this interview. Not because I did not feel lucky to have these amazing people as interviewees, but because I was at a point in my research where I did not know what would come next. I had noticed myself through reading books and watching video clips that I had kept circulating around the same central themes of the topic: that women are being more universally accepted in the media, and that is why they appear in so many different sideline jobs. I also just assumed that due to the stature of these professionals that they would try to avoid saying anything confrontational to a student no less.
Well I was dead wrong. The fact that both subjects even agreed on answers shocked me, but the fact that they ravished the concept of sideline reporters altogether was astonishing. They did not care that more women were making their way into broadcast’s, they criticized both the structure of the position itself, as well as the women who get employed in these roles. This shocked me into my own personal ‘journalistic’ mindset and I finally realized that I had been dancing around the idea that female sideline reporters are emerging rapidly. What I need to realize is that they have already emerged and are in full force, the issue is that they are not necessarily a staple of the programs. From this I must change my question and ask, not “if” female sideline reporters are a necessity, but “how” they have become that way. It is only a minor change, but I feel that I have an all new purpose with my research because I am now able to look at my research in a more ambitious, but slightly negative fashion.
Don't shut off your PC...or Mac,
Blog Master Nilsen
Works Cited:
Roberts, Selena. Rosenhaus, Drew. Personal. Nov. 2, 2009.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Getting Started...
When I began planning the foreground fro this research project, I continuously had this one image stuck in my head that I could simply not ignore. Now, when I tell you all about this image I would rather you did not get the wrong idea. This is because I could not get ESPN female reporter Erin Andrews' face away from me and she happens to be a stunningly beautiful woman (so why wouldn't any man have her image on their mind?). But being the sports nerd that I am, I was intrigued by her because of the impact that she has on sports media - at least through my eyes.
This was all sparked a few weeks back when a streaming internet video - which I will for obvious reasons not be posting a link to - of Ms. Andrews changing in her hotel room was placed on multiple internet sites. Long story told short, scandal broke out and it got me thinking as to why Erin in particular was targeted in such an awful crime; and more importantly, why was her video so popular - there are trillions of places you can see naked women on the internet!!!
And so here I am - if your not confused yet then I am glad - I am wondering to myself, the fact that Andrews works for a sports entertainment a company, her popularity among the male sports fan is without a doubt through the roof.
For those of you who do not know who she is, here is a news clip from ABC news that shows several examples of her in action on the athletic fields.
just click on the link above for the video
When examining the female sports reporter over the years, Erin Andrews has - since 2004 - been the first face that comes to mind because she seems to exemplify why I think the female sideline reporter has become a near fixture in sports broadcasts. This is of course pure opinion on my part, but I I feel that sports broadcasts become more tolerable both for men and women when an attractive, well-spoken women is interviewing different sports stars throughout broadcasts.
Now, the first question that I must ask is:
Who was the first female sports broadcast reporter?
According to write Paul Farhi of the Washington Post, ABC and ESPN associates Lesley Visser (a member of the pro football Hall of Fame), and Andrea Kremer were the first women to do sideline reporting on the "Monday Night Football Broadcast" - which according to Pamela J. Creedon, author of the book Women, Sport, and Media Institutions: Issues in Sports Journalism
Reporter Lesley Visser told Creedon that when she began working at The Boston Globe in 1974, "No women or children allowed in the press box." and she now feels "it's very comforting to me to say that women are sideline reporters now."
What I can see from this is that there is definitely some sort of comradery among female sports reporters, and that they have a common goal to become something of a necessity on sports broadcasts today. Since the 1970's, when sports were just starting to be truly emerged as a media jackpot, women has grown as sports reporters, thus leading me to believe that yes indeed women have become - at the LEAST more trusted among television producers and executives.
Farhi also mentions in his article that both Kremer and Visser have produced their own individual programs on both ESPN and ABC. This intrigues me because it may mean that their could be an emergence of more than just female sideline reporters, but an emergence of a greater population of women in sports media altogether.
While Erin Andrews stands out because of her physical features, as well as her presence in alternative media, her work only leads me back to her predecessors, making me curious as to how the male counterparts feel about the potential
more to come,
Blog Master Nilsen
This was all sparked a few weeks back when a streaming internet video - which I will for obvious reasons not be posting a link to - of Ms. Andrews changing in her hotel room was placed on multiple internet sites. Long story told short, scandal broke out and it got me thinking as to why Erin in particular was targeted in such an awful crime; and more importantly, why was her video so popular - there are trillions of places you can see naked women on the internet!!!
And so here I am - if your not confused yet then I am glad - I am wondering to myself, the fact that Andrews works for a sports entertainment a company, her popularity among the male sports fan is without a doubt through the roof.
For those of you who do not know who she is, here is a news clip from ABC news that shows several examples of her in action on the athletic fields.
just click on the link above for the video
When examining the female sports reporter over the years, Erin Andrews has - since 2004 - been the first face that comes to mind because she seems to exemplify why I think the female sideline reporter has become a near fixture in sports broadcasts. This is of course pure opinion on my part, but I I feel that sports broadcasts become more tolerable both for men and women when an attractive, well-spoken women is interviewing different sports stars throughout broadcasts.
Now, the first question that I must ask is:
Who was the first female sports broadcast reporter?
According to write Paul Farhi of the Washington Post, ABC and ESPN associates Lesley Visser (a member of the pro football Hall of Fame), and Andrea Kremer were the first women to do sideline reporting on the "Monday Night Football Broadcast" - which according to Pamela J. Creedon, author of the book Women, Sport, and Media Institutions: Issues in Sports Journalism
Reporter Lesley Visser told Creedon that when she began working at The Boston Globe in 1974, "No women or children allowed in the press box." and she now feels "it's very comforting to me to say that women are sideline reporters now."
What I can see from this is that there is definitely some sort of comradery among female sports reporters, and that they have a common goal to become something of a necessity on sports broadcasts today. Since the 1970's, when sports were just starting to be truly emerged as a media jackpot, women has grown as sports reporters, thus leading me to believe that yes indeed women have become - at the LEAST more trusted among television producers and executives.
Farhi also mentions in his article that both Kremer and Visser have produced their own individual programs on both ESPN and ABC. This intrigues me because it may mean that their could be an emergence of more than just female sideline reporters, but an emergence of a greater population of women in sports media altogether.
While Erin Andrews stands out because of her physical features, as well as her presence in alternative media, her work only leads me back to her predecessors, making me curious as to how the male counterparts feel about the potential
more to come,
Blog Master Nilsen
Welcome!
Hello Dr. Ryan's COM 215 class,Over the course of the semester I plan to chronicle my research study on a topic that has undoubtedly crossed the minds of Mllions of fans across the United States. I will be constructing this blog through a series of videos and images, but I will also be uncovering information that have found through my research, possibly leading me to some kind of overarching answer to my question. Of course I will also be asking the rest of the nation questions that may give me some general sense of how other fans (or non-fans) feel about the topic at hand. Okay, if I have not bored you all to tears yet, I would now like to actually know, has the female 'sideline reporter' come to be a common aspect of some televised.
The semester ends in December and I assume that I will be much further along with my research by that point. I hope to post at least once a week just so I can give you all a consistent update on my progress, along with my thought process that I bring along with this research study.
Some things to look forward to from the blog:
Feedback/coverage of a November 2nd Q & A session with NFL super-agent, Drew Rosenhaus and Sports Illustrated reporter, Selena Roberts.
I am extremely excited, and I assure you that my enthusiasm about sports and sports media will surely not be absent from this forum,
Blog Master Nilsen
The semester ends in December and I assume that I will be much further along with my research by that point. I hope to post at least once a week just so I can give you all a consistent update on my progress, along with my thought process that I bring along with this research study.
Some things to look forward to from the blog:
Feedback/coverage of a November 2nd Q & A session with NFL super-agent, Drew Rosenhaus and Sports Illustrated reporter, Selena Roberts.
I am extremely excited, and I assure you that my enthusiasm about sports and sports media will surely not be absent from this forum,
Blog Master Nilsen
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