Jared Sanchez

Staff Writer

When I heard this idea I was both shocked and confused. Why would ESPN want to launch a new spin-off dedicated to women? What can they possibly have that is any different from the other ESPN networks? This question was probably on the minds of all of the newly informed ESPN viewers.

Since 1972 the United States has seen significant increases in women participating in sports on both the High School and Collegiate levels. ESPN, for the most part, has also seen an increase in the number of fans of female sports. However, ESPN’s female viewers only account for twenty-four percent of total viewership. The top two programs viewed by women are: The National Spelling Bee,which is not shown on an ESPN network, and Cheerleading competitions which only account for seven airings.

In launching this new network, ESPN hopes to regain old viewers and gain new ones as well. They hope that they will be able to call this “experiment” a success; but if you ask me, it will be a while before it catches on.

In my opinion ESPNW will just be a waste of time. Female athletes get plenty of “face time” on the bevy of ESPN channels already existing! ESPN Vice President, Laura Gentile says, “ESPNW brand is looking for a more holistic way to view sports”. I say, sports are about watching your team win, being a fan of something, and not trying to find the hidden meaning for why it is happening. Just watch and enjoy.

Sure, there are women out there that love sports, but not enough of them to cause ESPN to launch a new network dedicated to women in the sports world.