The "Girlification" of Sport Media

I built my fyp brick by brick

“Girls will be girls.” And by that, I mean: making funny, informational, witty, show-stopping, never-been-done-before, outstanding sports-related content that challenges and reinvents the sports media landscape entirely. Yeah, you heard me. Media is evolving—and women are ahead of the game.

Some say sports media is changing for the worse; others, for the better. But I think we can all agree: watching four men on a panel debate the recent draft feels so... 2007. Personally, I’d rather get my sports news like I’m on FaceTime with my sport-loving friend.

It’s different. It’s fun. It’s chaotic and aesthetic—but still educational. And this kind of content? It’s drawing more women into sports. A Hot Girl’s Guide to F1? Sign me up. Breaking down the Luka Dončić trade like it's the plot to High School Musical 2? Say less. I’ve never been more locked in. The way we consume content is shifting—and women are steering the wheel.

And guess what? This content isn’t bankrolled by billion-dollar networks. It’s being made by girls in their rooms with a computer and a dream. A mic and a dream. An editing app and a DREAM. Creators like Mariah Rose and Kait Maniscalco on TikTok are just two of many women creating content for women to learn and connect with sports. It’s quick, funny, digestible.

Sorry—but not everyone’s been watching a team/sport for 70 years. Sometimes we need a recap. That doesn’t mean deeper research won’t happen—it just means we’re meeting fans where they are. This isn’t about gatekeeping (a mindset many traditional sports fans are guilty of). This is about growth. About growing leagues. Reaching new fans. And finally making space for those who’ve always been told, “Sports are for boys.”

Not anymore. Women are claiming their rightful place in sports culture—and having fun doing it.

It’s not just sit-down videos or GRWMs. It’s edits. And not just spicy ones (mind your business and let women have hobbies), but edits that are heartfelt, inspiring, even devastating. A player loses the championship? There’s an edit. They win? Yup—there’s an edit. Never did I think a Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz x Wildflower edit would have me in my feelings after Sainz’s departure from Ferrari—and yet, here we are.

These edits are creative, emotional, and most importantly—they drive engagement. They bring people in. They make us care.

Sports doesn’t exist in a vacuum anymore. It’s colliding with music, fashion, film. These “girly” worlds are fueling a whole new kind of fandom—and leagues are benefitting. Almost 75% of women globally identify as sports fans, and over half became fans in the past few years (according to a 2023 Nielsen study). So yes, I do want to watch a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tunnel fit montage to Beyoncé’s “Alien Superstar”. And no, it’s not “silly”—it’s storytelling. It humanizes athletes. It expands their reach. It shows them as people.

Yes, you read that right: athletes are people, too! It’s not always about who jumps highest or scores most—it’s about who they are beyond the court or field. Studies show that while men are often drawn to the competitive and statistical side of sports, women tend to value narrative, representation, and community. So, are women too emotional or do they simply care?.

And if I had a dollar for everytime I saw a man cry over sports—well then maybe I could start my own billion dollar company.

Historically, women in sports media were boxed in. Labeled as unqualified or “fake fans.” But now, with platforms like TikTok, women are creating content on their terms. They're leaning into girlhood, building audiences from scratch—and those audiences are showing up. Buying merch. Watching games. Following players. Driving engagement in ways old-school media still hasn’t figured out.

And most importantly? Women support women. These creators don’t just highlight male sports—they push women’s sports to the front. Coverage of women’s sports is projected to hit 20% of total sports media in 2025, and a lot of that momentum comes from this new wave of fandom culture, driven by women and for women. It’s about belonging. About being part of something bigger. About making our voices heard in spaces that once ignored us.

The rise of women in sport media is not just a trend--it’s a cultural reset. From hot girl analysis to powerful storytelling through edits, the “girlification” of sport media is a driving force to be reckoned with. So yeah--girls will be girls. Either join us or get out of the way.