Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – Sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, expected to exceed $620 billion by 2027.
However, this industry provides more than the money it brings to a select few – it can uplift communities.
There’s been a rising trend in the sports industry: women’s sports. Whether it’s due to Caitlin Clark’s unbelievable run at Iowa University, or because of more general acceptance by society, women’s sports have gotten more and more popular as the years have gone on.
Ticket prices for last season’s NCAA basketball tournament were higher on the women’s side than the men’s. Long ago, this would have been unheard of, but it’s a new era. What’s helping this year at Syracuse is the women’s basketball team is currently ranked 17th in the country, and fellow student athletes are coming together to support the team.
“I was at their women in sports night the other night, and it was nice to see other student athletes are supporting each other at Syracuse,” said Lexie Katz, a sports management student at Syracuse University.
The success of the women’s basketball team could have ripple-effects for future generations as well.
“And there was also a lot of young girls in the audience too and I feel like the biggest part is like, showing that women can be successful athletes,” Katz said.
More women are being represented in sports video games as well. FIFA, NBA 2k, WWE, and NHL games all have options to play as women characters and women teams.
“As, you know, these games are coming out with players and avatars and women sports players, I can see a lot of young girls grow up and see that themselves,” said Braeden Cheverie-Leonard, president of the Syracuse Esports Club. “I have a five year old sister and she’s starting to get into video games.”
More women in general are getting into the esports sector. Syracuse University is no exception.
“Female presence has always, uh, been a thing in esports,” Cheverie-Leonard said. “In fact, the club president before me was a woman, um, so I think Syracuse has a really good representation.”
More work can always be done, but it’s safe to say plenty of progress has been made in terms of no longer viewing women’s sports and esports as “lesser” than men’s.
Tickets for Syracuse women’s sports can be purchased at Cuse.com.
