Times are changing and more and more women are entering the male-dominated sports world. Female reporters, coaches, referees, and more are emerging onto the scene, proving that women know sports and can work in the same field as men. Women still face challenges, though, as many believe they are not tough enough or know enough to work alongside men. Female reporters have to possess the knowledge to write their material and interview the athletes, along with having the courage to do this. These women are inspiring girls all over to one day work in sports.
Erin Andrews
Andrews has paved a way for current female journalists within the past decade. She has class and poise on camera and has the passion for everything she covers. Andrews has always been able to get excellent interviews and goes in-depth with her hard-hitting questions. After getting her start with Fox Sports Florida in 2000, she has also worked with ESPN and ESPN College GameDay, before venturing over to Fox Sports where she currently is. Andrews has turned into a household name by being the professional that she is.
Emily Jones
Jones does outstanding work constantly with her career. She currently reports on the Texas Rangers as their sideline reporter and is able to have fun with the athletes while still getting the message across. She is fun but can be serious when needed and does not let anything prevent her from continuing her job. She is great at representing a strong female reporter who knows her facts but can have fun on the sidelines and develop a good relationship with the athletes.
Kathryn Tappen
Tappen has worked all throughout the sports industry, as she is currently a host and reporter for NBC Sports. She has covered everything from NHL Live, to Football Night in America, to the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics. Tappen is surrounded by athletes constantly, former and current, but always manages to get great coverage. You can see the passion for sports on the screen and her knowledge never fails the viewers.
Michelle Beadle
Beadle is a very clever and witty reporter who is able to hold her own with the men she works with. She shows that she is fearless by consistently speaking her mind, no matter what. Beadle has had a very successful career with ESPN and NBC Sports, covering events like the 2012 London Olympics, Ryder Cup, and the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight with an interview from Manny Pacquiao. She has worked her way up the ladder to success and has not let anything stop her.
Rebecca Haarlow
Haarlow is very knowledgeable of what she does and always makes sure to get the job done. She takes her job seriously and doesn’t let anything get in her way, as proven by her success. Before working for NFL Network, she started off as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports. A former college athlete, Haarlow has been on all sides of the sports industry and loves what she does.
Heidi Watney
Watney is my biggest inspiration in this industry. She is classy and fun on camera and lets the viewers see that. As the current host of MLB’s Quick Pitch, she is also a guest on other MLB Network programs, and always gives great insight, facts, and lots of laughs. Watney does a great job of entertaining the viewers while giving full coverage from the day. She doesn’t let any negativity stop her, and her excitement and love for her job is always clear.
Watney, along with the other ladies listed above and so many more in this industry, have impacted my future career in such a huge way. They taught me to not listen to the negative people out there that say women cannot work in sports. They showed that there's more to being a sports reporter than just being a "pretty face"; you have to have the knowledge and the passion to go with it. They proved that if you love something enough in your career and work hard enough at it, you can achieve your dreams.
These women are amazing role models to any girl who wants to work in the sports industry, and every female sports reporter deserves way more respect than what's given.
