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| The AAGPBL paved the way for women's pro leagues, like the WNBA |
It's no secret that women's professional sports leagues in the United States face an uphill battle. For example, the country's most established female sports league, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), trails the National Basketball Association (NBA) in both popularity and profitability. Meanwhile, America's other large league, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), has cancelled its 2012 season and may not return. And aside from a brief run in the late 90s, women's professional baseball hasn't existed in this country since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. To be fair, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Women's Tennis Association (WTA), two non-team sports leagues have thrived for years. But team-sports leagues have struggled. Why? Why is it such a challenge to establish women's professional sports in America? What can be done to help one succeed on a grander scale? In a concise editorial, explain how you believe a women's sports league can flourish when so many have failed. What would you do to ensure a prosperous future for these talented athletes? How would you increase visibility? Lure in big-name sponsors? Secure lucrative television contracts? Finally, what does the struggle of these leagues say to us about American society? Use at least four of the following articles to support your plan:
- “Why the WNBA Isn't—and Will Never Be—a Popular League” (Sports Illustrated)
- “Has Women's Soccer Gained Any Respect?” (Baltimore Sun)
- “Women’s Professional Soccer Fights to Keep Its Top Status” (New York Times)
- “Why Women’s Sports Struggle to Gain Popularity” (KPBS)
- "How Media Affects Our Perception of an Athletes Race and Gender” (The Sports Digest)
- “Women Athletes Have a Reason to Celebrate” (GPhilly)
- “Can Women Play with the Men?” (espnW)
- “State of Uncertainty for Women's Sports” (ESPN)
Requirements:
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
- 3-page minimum
- Cite from at least four of the above articles
- Include a works cited page
The best papers:
- Stay within the parameters of the subject matter
- Have a concise thesis which clearly outlines a plan for a successful women's sports league
- Are written in a voice that is casual, yet informed
- Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure, citing from at least four articles above
- Conclude with a summation of the argument
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Are in compliance with MLA Style
Sample editorials from various national newspapers:
- "Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Congress" New York Times
- "Why wait to get troops out of Afghanistan?" Chicago Sun-Times
- "Obama, the Happy Drug Warrior" San Francisco Chronicle
- "Problem Children" Las Vegas Sun
- "Public Education Deserves Respect" Kansas City Star
- "Dalai Lama Proves an Endearing Icon" San Diego Union-Tribune
Due: We 5.2
