Inside the boys’ club and why I refuse to play along

Hall of Fame Game

When I walked into my first press box with a notebook tucked under my arm, and an extremely overstuffed backpack I felt very out of my element. No one glanced my way and being new I had expected a warm welcome though I soon realized that was not going to happen. When the others did see me I felt as if they were thinking, “Is she lost?”

No, I wasn’t lost. I was a writer for a national outlet. Looking around I saw only two women in sea of men. I was learning quickly that proving I belonged was part of the job description.

Sports journalism has long been a male-dominated field, built on relationships forged in locker rooms, press boxes, and late-night postgame bars. For women, access to those spaces often comes with unspoken tests. I noticed how male colleagues were greeted by first name, or nicknames. while I was rarely addressed and if so it was more of a quick nod. It wasn’t for lack of effort on my part as I introduced myself to all of my colleagues but felt as if they weren’t interested in learning anything about me. Most barely mustering pleasantries.

Building my own seat at the table

Often times I would be scolded for doing something that male colleagues were able to do. It was as if these men didn’t have to follow the rules that applied to me. Many times, my access would change daily without explanation. One occasion I was the only one left out of an area. It was so abrupt and rude that I had a reporter from the visiting team ask if I was ok. Of course, I was ok. Long ago, I learned to hold back tears of frustration – vowing very early to never let them see me upset.

I completely understand that access is at the team’s discretion. What I will never understand is let’s say for example a guy golfs with staff and he gets special treatment. Am I saying it’s not fair? Absolutely. Am I saying I am a victim? Absolutely not. I am observant of the double standard. By the way I play golf and I consistently break 80.

I had to work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously. The scrutiny followed me everywhere. If I misquoted statistics, it wasn’t just a mistake, it was their proof that I didn’t understand sports. Online, men constantly told me that I “didn’t know ball.” I am not one to be quiet if I am treated unfairly so I would snap back at those who were making me feel unworthy.

Advice from the best

Sarah Spain has always been one of the women in the industry that I looked up to. She was outspoken but incredibly talented. She pushed back at the trolls and continued to grow her career to new heights. I started my own live sports show, and I was humbled to have her on the show. I wanted to discuss the battles that women are still fighting in the sports industry.

One of the things she said to me to was so profound, “for women the ceiling is higher, but the basement is still the same.” My live sports show on TikTok is a way for me to use a different outlet for a unique show. I book my own guests, and the style is what I like to call an interactive podcast. Viewers can send comments to the guest that is on my show and interact with them live. It’s a way to stand out in this saturated industry. Paving a way to excel. Paving a way of my own.

 

Sarah Spain says “The ceiling is higher than ever but the basement is still the same” as she gives advice to me as a women in the sports industry. Ladies, this is well worth a listen if you’re in the sports industry or applicable to any male dominated field. pic.twitter.com/53MLianj5B

— Natalie (@nats_sportschat) December 6, 2025

 

Sit back and shut up

When I first started I would ask questions at press conferences, I was advised to take a backseat and watch how things were run before asking any questions in the future. That incident changed how I would work. The self-confidence I had in my questioning was basically taken away. If I moved to asking softer questions it didn’t feel natural. I do have a different style than most of my colleagues and at that time I was made to feel like that was a negative thing. There was no winning, only surviving. However, over the years, I realized that my unique style was something to be proud of and that I would no longer allow others’ opinions of me change who I was. Learning to ignore the mumbles and eye rolls and reminding myself that I belonged was a pivotal moment.

Sports was one of my first loves

My love of sports began long before I ever held a press credential. I grew up memorizing box scores, arguing referees’ calls at the television, and dreaming of one day telling the stories behind the games. Journalism, I believed, was about truth and persistence, not gender. Reality proved more complicated. It was a far leap from my little typewriter and family newspapers I published as a young girl.

Online harassment became routine. After publishing a piece on a popular player, my social media filled with messages telling me to harm myself, ridiculing my appearance or even escalating emails to my boss or the teams I covered. Some days, the noise was so loud I could have considered quitting. But that wasnt an option as I remembered why I started.

My “why”

That “why” is the story, and the moments fans, colleagues, and organizations never see. The website I manage is all about giving others a chance to achieve their dreams. Due to the standards that I hold our contributors to I do have to be tough at times. You know when a child misbehaves with mom, but when dad gets home there’s that respectful fear of discipline? I often feel like mom who needs to say, “wait til your dad gets home!” My responsibility to maintain the integrity of our site requires me to be firm. However, we have been blessed to have some of the best professionals in the area as contributors. Our site remains number one for sports coverage in northeast Ohio because of them. I strive to gain their respect and also give them opportunities that they may not get elsewhere.

The other part of the “why” is my own dream to tell the stories within sports. I have always found the stories in sports to be my passion. With writing, managing the website and my live show I can live out my passion.

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Feeling invisible

Little things would pile on over the years that were hard to ignore. Many times, when I cover games there’s a mad rush to get to the team’s area for the post game press conference. Male colleagues will literally push me over to get into the elevator after the game. Leaving me disheveled standing there waiting for the next elevator. Strangers normally don’t behave that way let alone people you work aside.

The physicality doesn’t end on the elevator if there’s a scrum style interview men will be forceful to push their way past me to leave me standing behind. While attempting to look over them as some tower more than a foot above me. It seems simple, let the women who are smaller in stature have a place in the front – there’s plenty of room for everyone. However, the obvious closing of the good ole boy circle is a visual representation of how things still need changing.

 

Moving up

Over time, my persistence is paying off. I am able to find stories others missed because I look for the human element in sports more than stats. I sometimes notice details overlooked: the quiet rituals before a game, the mental toll of injuries, the pressure athletes carried off the field. My reporting grew sharper, more confident, impossible to ignore.

I started to move the website into every area of Ohio. I forged my own relationships with teams and organizations. Younger female journalists began contacting me, asking how to survive their first year in sports media. I answered every message. I have a national sports show that is still in the stage of infancy however it is growing into something of which I am immensely proud.

Still, the industry has a long way to go. Women remain underrepresented in sports newsrooms, press boxes, and leadership roles. Too often, progress depends on individual resilience rather than systemic change. I believe real inclusion will come when women no longer have to be “exceptions” to succeed.

I don’t want to be known as a great female writer or reporter I just want to be known as a great writer or reporter. There are a few men who have made me feel comfortable and assisted me along the way. To them, I am grateful.

Even in writing this there’s a small pit in my stomach of retaliation. Though we can’t let fear stop us from speaking the truth. I’m saying it for every woman who goes through similar struggles.

Today, when I walk into a press box, press conference, locker room or sporting event the feeling of not belonging still lingers. However, what has changed is how I allow it to make me feel. I know that I have earned my place…not by fitting in, but by refusing to be pushed out. And in doing so, I hope to quietly kick the door open for those women who will follow.