Former UConn women’s basketball star and WNBA player Rebecca Lobo recently took to social media to share a disturbing incident that occurred at her son’s basketball tournament. Lobo, who coaches her 15-year-old son’s team, recounted a conversation with a referee about a missed foul call. The referee allegedly told her, “this is a grown man’s game, this isn’t a women’s game.”
The post sparked a conversation about sexism in sports, with many coming to Lobo’s defense, including her former UConn teammate Jennifer Rizzotti. Rizzotti tweeted her support, stating, “I’ve always got your back Hall of Famer.”
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of sexism in sports, despite the increasing attention on women’s sports. Professor Susan Cahn, an expert on gender in sports, noted the momentum and interest in women’s sports but also pointed out that sexism is still prevalent in the industry.
Darren Gilbert, director of CT Take Over, an AAU basketball program, emphasized the importance of fair treatment regardless of gender. He mentioned the success of female players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as evidence of changing attitudes towards women in sports.
While progress has been made in the representation of women in sports, incidents like this serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done to combat sexism in the industry. Lobo’s team confirmed that the incident took place in Pennsylvania, but Lobo was not available for further comment.