March 21, 2016: The Women’s Sports Foundation finds the views expressed by Raymond Moore disheartening. His comments undermine the achievements of women in sport and women in our society as a whole. Our Founder Billie Jean King and countless other pioneering women, and men, have made unparalleled contributions to the game and fought for equality in all of sports. The Women’s Tennis Association and the current generation of women players have established a vibrant legacy of their own and continue to advance the game and grow its fan base.
As disappointing as these comments are, they are unfortunately not uncommon. Women’s sports and the accomplishments of female athletes are undervalued in our society, with women regularly receiving less compensation and fewer sponsorship opportunities than their male counterparts. The derisive remarks made demonstrate why it is so important for the Women’s Sports Foundation to continually advocate for Title IX and to protect girls’ and women’s access to sports.