Former England and Chelsea footballer, Eni Aluko, has voiced concerns over the potential 'blocking' of female broadcasters in women’s football by male pundits like Ian Wright.
Ian Wright, a former Arsenal and England striker who has been a significant advocate for women’s football, is one of the key figures under scrutiny. Despite his support for the sport, Aluko suggests that his dominance as a pundit could be limiting opportunities for women within broadcasting. Aluko herself is no stranger to breaking barriers in sports broadcasting. In 2014 she made history as the first woman to appear on BBC Match of the Day as a pundit. However, she fears that this progress may be undermined by an increasing dominance of men within women’s game coverage.
In an interview with BBC’s Woman’s Hour, Aluko expressed her concern about seeing ‘a repeat dominance of men in the women’s game’. She highlighted that there are limited spaces available and emphasized on equal opportunity between genders.
Former England footballer, Eni Aluko, said:
‘I’m happy that the women’s game has grown, it’s seeing exponential growth in all areas, on the pitch, off the pitch, broadcasting. But I still feel like there is a double standard where there is still a limited amount of opportunities for women, female broadcasters, both in the men’s and the women’s game. We’re still competing for two or three seats maximum, which includes the presenters.
‘Whereas I think men, there are a lot of men who have much broader opportunities who are now coming into the women’s game. For example, if you look at the WSL in terms of coaches, I think there are six or seven head coaches, there is still not one single female head coach in the men’s game. So whilst the women’s game is growing, we have to be very careful that it’s still a space for women to develop their careers as broadcasters, as coaches. What we don’t want is a repeat dominance of men in the women’s game, as broadcasters, as coaches, earning more money than women when we can’t do the same in the men’s game. I would never, ever be able to usurp Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher, these are guys who have done it for a long time, they are brilliant broadcasters, they rightly dominate their sport. I think the same should apply in the women’s game.’
Need for equal opportunities
Aluko pointed out that if there were equal opportunities in men's games for broadcasters and coaches as there are in women's games then it would be fair competition. However, she stated: "I can’t dominate the men’s game...Ian is dominating the women’s game."
She further clarified her stance when asked if it was wrong for Wright to work as a pundit in women's football saying: "I don’t know about wrong but I think we need to be conscious...that women are not being blocked from having a pathway in broadcasting."
Balancing star power with equality
The argument was presented during this discussion that high-profile male pundits like Ian Wright bring their own audience to watch Women's Football which could help boost its popularity. Aluko agreed, acknowledging that it is indeed a good thing.
However, she countered by saying: "there are female broadcasters who are household names too." She emphasized the importance of not blocking women in women's sport and ensuring they have equal opportunities to contribute to its growth and popularity.
Aluko's comments highlight an important issue within sports broadcasting - the need for gender equality. While male pundits can bring their own audience and add value to the coverage of women’s football, it is crucial that this does not come at the expense of opportunities for female broadcasters. As Aluko rightly points out, there are many accomplished female broadcasters who have made significant contributions to sports and should be given equal opportunities in both men's and women's games.
