Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America

Journalist DiCaro debuts with a sweeping takedown of misogyny in America’s sports media and professional leagues. She describes the censure (from her employers) and online harassment (from sports fans) she receives when reporting on the sexual misconduct of athletes, and critiques her employers, including CBS Radio, for failing to hire diverse staffers and protect female employees from abuse. Though her primary focus is on media, DiCaro also looks at the unequal treatment of female pro athletes, and the ways in which organizations such as the Houston Astros normalize violence against women by signing players who have been suspended for domestic abuse and then “putting a moratorium” on how long journalists can report on the matter. DiCaro’s investigative journalism chops shine through in her insightful interviews, and she crafts engrossing narratives out of historical events like the battle to get female reporters access to locker rooms after games. Ultimately, DiCaro believes that if media outlets, teams, and fans want to address the deeply entrenched culture of inequality in the way women are treated in sports, they need to “grow the fuck up.” This bracing call to arms is a step in that direction. (Mar.)