For as many women as there are now covering professional sports, they've unfortunately got a long, long way to go before dudes actually start treating them as, you know, professionals.
It's been a banner day for the female sports reporter getting hit on in downtown Indianapolis, as both ESPN's Kaylee Hartung and CBS's Allie LaForce have had men try and spit game to them during live reports from the Final Four.
First it was Hartung, who had the distinct pleasure of interviewing this robust Kentucky fan, complete with blue tinted shades. As the interview ended, the man began to trail away from the microphone before mustering up the courage to say "you're gorgeous!" into Hartung's mic, eliciting that "I definitely knew that was coming but wow he really did that live on air I guess I should awkwardly laugh now" response from the young reporter.
Later in the day, LaForce's live shot from outside Lucas Oil Stadium was interrupted by a Michigan State fan who tapped her on the shoulder, then got down on one knee to faux propose to her. LaForce didn't attempt to mask her displeasure like Hartung, yelling out "Oooooook" while the guy held on to her hands for about five seconds too long. So uncomfortable.
Look, we get it. Hartung and LaForce are two of the more attractive women working in sports media today. But that doesn't give you free range to turn serious live shots into a joke. Not only are these women supremely annoyed by the fact that you've interrupted their work, it dilutes the importance of what they do and the work they put in to get there, especially since Hartung and LaForce are both immensely talented. If there's a live shot you should absolutely interrupt instead, it's Stephen A. Smith's. Shape up, gentlemen.
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[Via kiop]
