The Plight of Women Sports Fans Continued...

By Lisa Ovens

Silly Soccer man Says Stupid Sentences and gets himself Suspended...Quote from an MLS Soccer podcast earlier this week...

"It's fine if you're a female and you want to be a super-fan. Clearly go for it, that's your choice. But there is something to be said for how appealing that might be to the other sex. Having a woman that's such a fan, like painting your face, tuning in to every podcast. I don't know how many males would be into that.

It's great that in Kansas City there are a lot of women in the stands, it's great, but for the guy who wants maybe a serious relationship... If you are following just casually, but if you're such a die-hard, I don't know, it comes a point that it is a bit of a turn-off".  Spoken by MLS's very own Simon Borg. I believe that is the guy in the photo...

 The came the official MLS Statement on Offensive Comments...


During the latest episode of the ExtraTime Radio podcast on MLSsoccer.com, one of the hosts -- Simon Borg -- made inappropriate remarks regarding female fans of Major League Soccer.  These remarks were unacceptable and in no way reflect the values of MLS, its clubs, players, staff, or MLSsoccer.com. We apologize on behalf of our organization for those remarks.  Respect for diversity is a core principle of MLS and we are proud of the diversity of our League and its fans. Mr. Borg will be suspended from his position at MLSsoccer.com for seven days, effective immediately.  All MLS employees undergo diversity and sensitivity training on an annual basis, and Mr. Borg and the entire MLS Digital group will receive additional sensitivity training promptly.

Is that a seven day suspension with or without pay? Some dudes seem to clue in a little faster when it hits them in their wallets. My heart sinks a little when I hear stories like this. Why is it that some guys just can't accept that many women are passionate about sports? And considering Simon Borg really went out of his way to insult specific customers of the company he works for, why didn't MLS just fire his ass, and replace it with someone who is more gifted with their gab? 

So many of us just want to lose ourselves in our favorite sports, forget our daily stresses and blow off some steam at a sporting event. We're just sports fans...that is all.

After last fall's Vancouver Whitecaps marketing campaign, and this latest MLS downer, I will continue to withhold my money and not buy a scarf or a ticket. However, if the MLS wants my guidance on future campaigns...I'll be happy to help out, and not piss off half of their customers in the process.