A TV reporter named Ines Sainz has accused several members of the New York Jets of sexually inappropriate behavior during a recent practice. According to Sainz, a bunch of players and coaches deliberately tried to run into Sainz during a passing drill. According to Pro Football Talk, Sainz was greeted in the locker room by catcalls and hooting. When a reporter approached Sainz to see if she was OK, lineman Kris Jenkins screamed, “This is our locker room!”
Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.
But not just the Jets.
Every so often, a situation like this one arises, where a female reporter—attractive, young, well aware of the power of image—walks into a men’s professional sports arena dressed completely and totally inappropriately, then is shocked (shocked!) when the dolt inmates hoot and hollar.
To start with, here is what Sainz was allegedly wearing:
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Is she naked? No. In a swimsuit? No. But what sort of professional journalist wears tight jeans and exposes a bare midriff … while covering an event? It’s pathetic, and screams a great deal about your professionalism—or lack thereof.
This is a funny business, and reporters use whatever edge they can to snag an interview and land an exclusive. Veteran beat writers (generally men) will exchange secrets for secrets—I’ll tell you what the manager says off-the-record about you, you tell me if you’re planning on demanding a trade. Reporters will capitzlize on connections (I was friends with your brother’s old coach) and exploit weaknesses. You do what you have to.
The increased sexualization of female reporters, however, troubles me. You see it more and more and more–and if often works. A slinky outfit, a soft voice … athletes are much more likely to grant an interview to a beautiful woman than a XXXL-sweater-wearing schlub with bad BO. But, come day’s end, America’s athletes aren’t the brightest bulbs. They’re often used to conquests—be they in athletics or more sexual in nature. They see women as objects, and if you doubt me check out the line of wives/girlfriends waiting outside the locker room after games.
Again, the Jets who allegedly did this are a bunch of immature, pathetic assholes, and if the league doesn’t fine them, well, something’s wrong.
But when you refer to yourself as “the sexiest sports reporter in Mexico” …
… and present yourself as this …
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… you’re not going to be granted the respect of a Robin Roberts or Suzy Kolber or Shelley Smith.
You’re going to be oggled by the dolts.
Because that’s what they do.
PS: Here is her Twitter page. Sometimes people need to decide what they want to be.
