Ten months ago, ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt called out First Take host Stephen A. Smith regarding the show’s historical neglect of women’s sports coverage. Smith was taken aback, creating a viral moment that showcased an unusual instance of him being at a loss for words on his own program.
Stephen A. Smith: “Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?”
Monica McNutt: “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”
Stephen A.: “Wow.” pic.twitter.com/szQXOPQ3h4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 3, 2024
This weekend, during an event hosted by Front Office Sports, McNutt reflected on her viral moment. She expressed, “This is layered for me because the existence of women at large, outside of sport, is just a challenge. That is the nature of our experience and our society today. So, am I sensitive to word choices and descriptions about certain women? Yes. Does that mean that I cannot talk about basketball and acknowledge how we are all moving this thing forward together? No. But there is a sensitivity for me when it comes to women’s sports that I don’t necessarily have around men’s sports, and I am, in real-time, learning how to navigate that.”
Her insight is particularly relevant given her career focus on women’s sports and highlights the crucial gap in exposure that these sports have faced on major media platforms. Monica’s introspection indicates a thoughtful approach to recognizing the lack of coverage while also maintaining a collaborative spirit rather than being confrontational, as some perceived during her interaction with Smith on First Take.
As women’s sports continue to gain traction, the challenge of visibility on prominent platforms should diminish, allowing for a more inclusive atmosphere within the sports community. McNutt appears to have a keen understanding of this evolving landscape.
