It has been a busy day, so am just now getting to yet another discussion about the wrongful disrespect for women in sports media. Maybe I'm upset with it bc I've interviewed/met @MariaTaylor multiple times and am a weekly listener/avid stan of @katienolan and the pod.

A thread:

The column, which came out of left field and was simply Jason Whitlock trying to stir things up, is so attacking and ridiculous. He calls Katie "lazy and spoiled," meanwhile she does daily shows on ESPN, hosts a *short* (not quite) pod and hosts her own.

My whole point is this. Why do we have to make an excuse for women to have success in sports media? Why are they seen as less than men? Whether it be journalists, on-air personalities ... they know the game. I know plenty of women who do. They deserve the utmost respect.

I'm tired of the hired for "beauty" or "diversity" argument. No, to be quite frank, most are hired because they can do the damn thing. There are plenty of women who I am close friends with in this industry, look up to or follow. They are knowledgeable and good communicators.

There's a lot of undeserved crap that women go through in sports from sexual misconduct to inaccurate perception of their role. All of it is totally unfair. They shouldn't have to hesitate to build a working relationship with a male or fear walking out of a stadium at dark.

These are just a few examples, but women are some of the best to do it in sports. Their strength, creativity and ability to convey information (with humor) is unmatched. I want to challenge you to see women in media on an equal pedestal to everyone else. Bet on them.