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WNBA rookies given orientation in makeup and shopping

Posted on May 30th 2008 3:30PM by Kristen Seymour

Filed Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products

It can be hard to be a female athlete, especially one who is really serious about her sport -- she's tough on the court, but that doesn't mean she can't be feminine in her everyday life. And as far as the WNBA is concerned, their girls should be more girly because it'll boost attendance.

Women's sports aren't as popular as men's, but the WNBA is hoping that by helping its athletes learn to apply makeup and look sexier, it will draw more fans. If, instead of only drawing crowds made of girls who dream of playing pro sports the league can bring in the male demographic that attends NBA games, they can increase their profit, and therefore expand the league, giving more girls the opportunity to play ball professionally.

I have no problem with looking girly while working out harder than the boys, but I don't like the idea of it being forced upon anyone. Rookies entering the NBA will receive makeup and shopping training along with financial coaching during their orientation, and while I'm sure some players will be excited about the opportunity, I know a lot of the girls I played ball with would resent anyone trying to make sexier. What do you think?

Should the WNBA be teaching rookies about makeup?
All's fair in marketing. If it increases ticket sales, then why not?	14 (20.0%)
This is wrong! Let the girls be who they are -- if they want to wear makeup, they'll learn how on their own.	17 (24.3%)
It's a nice option for them to have, but it shouldn't be mandatory.	39 (55.7%)

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4 Comment

Tags: athlete, basketball, female, feminine, girly, makeup, orientation, rookie, shopping, wnba, women

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

carla 5-30-2008 @ 6:21PM

wow.
This NONmake-up wearing self-proclaimed athlete (as in the WNBA nor anyone else hath come a calling---yet) is duly outraged.

That's one of the more stupid & sexist things Ive heard in a long while.
(that's the short version of a long rant.)

MizFit
http://www.MizFitOnline.com

Susan 5-30-2008 @ 6:25PM

This news is like a month old. Already sick to death of hearing about it.

Lisa 5-30-2008 @ 7:03PM

Well, I hadn't heard about, so I'm glad to know. A lot of women don't really know how to use make-up to their best advantage, and would really like to have some help. I don't think it should be forced, but I think everyone should have the opportunity to put their best face forward and these gals are lucky to have the lessons. Then it's up to them.

Andrea 5-30-2008 @ 9:09PM

Remember that movie A League of Their Own? Although the movie was fictional, the league was real. They pulled this stunt with those women- IN THE 1940S. Is this how far we've come??
This is the most offensive thing I've heard of in a long time. These women are athletes, not models. They work incredibly hard and treating them this way is inappropriate and demeaning. If they think sex appeal is what it will take to boost ticket sales they should hire some CHEERLEADERS (pro cheerleaders make squat- it won't cost the teams much).
If I was one of those women I'd suggest they apply that lipstick to another orifice entirely.