Girl Cut Jerseygate 2009: Wait, There Are Girls Here? Edition
While my students were testing yesterday (on the day before Halloween no less), I stumbled upon an curious little article on Puck Daddy. Greg Wyshynski (who really does God's work) relayed the story of one female Calgary Flames fan who was upset over the lack of third jerseys in the girl cut size. Her letter was reposted in the post and Wysh made several really good points as to why the League should be reaching out to their female fans. There was even some discussion of the dreaded pink jersey. The irony is the post was titled "Sexism and the NHL third jersey" and as I stupidly read the comments, I found some of the most amazingly sexist comments I have ever had the "pleasure" of reading.
In the interest of full disclosure, I would never ever buy a girl fit jersey. I prefer wearing an "authentic" jersey. (No way I can buy a real authentic one on a teacher's salary, particularly a California teacher's salary) In that way, I am a bit of a purist and I have the same philosophy with my baseball and football jerseys. Pink jerseys make me want to stab people. I find them terribly insulting and silly looking. However, not everyone shares my fashion tastes and people are free to make decisions on how to spend their money on their own. I understand that there is a difference between someone who is wearing a girl fit jersey to a game cause they like to look attractive and someone who is doing it in the hopes of screwing their way through a locker room.
For a league that is trying to compete with the big 3 for attendance, dollars, and interest, it seems ridiculous that they wouldn't do everything they could to get more money out of their existing fan base. The claims that women are half of the fan base is a bit high but lets not forget those hockey moms out there who have some measure of control over the family finances. Just because the majority of hockey fans are male doesn't mean it should always be that way. If you're looking to expand a fan base, why not look to women? Why not offer those who often buy based on aesthetics something attractive to wear? There is no reason you should be treating them as a second class consumer when it comes to merch because "If it's good enough for men, it should be good enough for you." Part of my whole issue with the pink jerseys is because it reads like "If we make it pink, they will buy it." Of course lots of women will buy it. Lots of women will buy pink. But a lot don't.
My real issue with the post was found in the comment sections. (Gray keeps telling me not to read them but for some reason I can't help it.) The misogyny in there just appalled me. Yes, I know most of the comments are by forum trolls completely for the sake of making people like me mad. And yes, I know I shouldn't pay attention. But I feel it's my duty as a female hockey fan finds this an important issue to address some of the comments.
Go back in the kitchen where you belong, you moron. The ladies jersey should come with a Muzzle too!! Now go moon someone in Idaho, preferrably in front of a mean cop!! PS Why not ask for the Strap On Cup too.. I'm sure there's plenty of tissues at your house..Ya Dyke.
Really? Seriously? Really? Seriously? All cause she wants a jersey that fits her better? While this is classic trollage, it does illustrate a serious problem in that when stories like this come out people resort to this kind of childish commentary quickly. Case in point:
If there's one thing women are good at, it's complaining. First ice girls, now this.
First, she's whining about pink jerseys because they aren't the team's real jerseys, then she's whining about the real jerseys because they aren't cut for women?
News flash: if you want a real NHL jersey, you're going to get something that's cut to fit male hockey players wearing gear. The new jerseys fit women much better than before.
First, she's whining about pink jerseys because they aren't the team's real jerseys, then she's whining about the real jerseys because they aren't cut for women?
News flash: if you want a real NHL jersey, you're going to get something that's cut to fit male hockey players wearing gear. The new jerseys fit women much better than before.
First, don't even get me started on Ice Girls (that's a post for another time). Second, while the new jerseys fit better, they aren't designed to fit my boobs and I buy a size bigger than I need to for that reason. Same problem I have with my hockey gear. Or maybe I'm just complaining.
Uh, they make jerseys in smaller sizes, buy one of those you idiot.
Oh, I forgot. You want an authentic jersey that is tailored nice and tight so you can still look like a puck bunny but pretend that you're not because the jersey isn't pink.
Idiocy like this makes feminism look ridiculous.
Oh, I forgot. You want an authentic jersey that is tailored nice and tight so you can still look like a puck bunny but pretend that you're not because the jersey isn't pink.
Idiocy like this makes feminism look ridiculous.
I know where the argument that girl fit = puck bunny comes from but that doesn't make it any less stupid. This is where a huge stupid double standard comes into play. These fans argue that girl fit jerseys make you look like a slut at the same time they mock girls in jerseys that fit "traditionally" for not being attractive. I see girls at Sharks games all the time with their jerseys gathered behind their back and I'm pretty sure they aren't looking to score with the players. But then again I have never asked.
Regardless of your preference of jersey colors and sizing, it's ridiculous that the league doesn't give women who are and could become fans more options for spending their money. Just because I wouldn't be caught dead in a pink or girl fit jersey doesn't mean others shouldn't be allowed to. While I understand and generally support the jersey purist argument, this is one time that that point of view is problematic for the league, both fan base wise and financially.
