The Ines Sainz Story

If you watch ESPN, or any news network for that matter this past summer, I'm sure you heard a little bit about Ines Sainz and the New York Jets. In case you didn't, or you need a refresher, here's some background information.

Ines Sainz Gallo de Perez is a journalist for TV Azteca/Azteca America, and hosts the sports interview program "DxTips." She and her husband own the production company that developed the show. Sainz has never been what you would describe as "modest." Photos of her in a swimsuit were featured on TV Azteca's website and in their "Bad Girls" section. She has appeared on the covers of Maxim and Esquire, and was chosen by FHM as the fifth sexiest sports reporter in the world in 2009.

Controversy is nothing new in the world of Ines Sainz. Her site hosts plenty of suggestive photographs (check link at bottom of story for her Myspace page), she's a former Miss Universe candidate, and she lost her contract as a spokesperson for a Mexican bank after the media incident with the Jets. Now for the big guns.

One Saturday late in 2010, Sainz went to the Jets camp to get an interview with quarterback Mark Sanchez. To make a long story short, Sainz claims the players used passing drills as opportunities to flirt with her, used cat calls, and was "sexually harassed" while she waited for Sanchez in the locker room. The Jets were pursued, complaints were made, and Sainz seemed very upset. But by just the next Sunday, her story had changed. She was less upset than she ahd claimed to be the previous day, and mentioned that she thought the players were just joking around and playing games. If she thought it was all fun and games, then why pursue the organization for harassment? Sainz also claimed to be modestly dressed in a white blouse and jeans. (See photo). I don't know who would consider that modest, but I sure don't. That description should be altered to say skin-tight jeans and a small white blouse.

These are the situations in which women hold themselves back in the sports industry. Does she know most of her success comes from the way she look and not her sports knowledge? Probably. Does she use it to get ahead in her career? Most likely. Was she aware of the attention she would receive for the outfit, and was it done on purpose? I believe so. Does she know how to create controversy? Absolutely. It's incidents like this that give honest, hardworking people a bad name. These things aren't easily forgotten. The response from the event, however, angered me more than the incident itself, and this is where I must come to her rescue.

As a woman, in relation to the industry or not, your attire is no license to commit sexual harassment. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission points out that sexual harassment is essentially blind, no matter how seductive someone appears. It solely focuses on the content and harshness of the harassment. The people who seem to find nothing wrong in this situation clearly aren't living by the principle that harassment is blind.

There were men all across the internet, and men I spoke to in person that said she knew what she was doing, and if she didn't want to be hit on she shouldn't have worn that outfit. Even worse, I heard that if she didn't want to be hit on, she shouldn't be in the sports industry which is teeming with men. I cannot believe that in 2010 and in 2011, people are forewarning women when it comes to career choices because of things men do. "It's boys being boys" they say. There is no such thing as "she asked for it." There is nothing that gives a warrant for men to be pigs. Period.

One former Pittsburgh Steeler, in an interview, made a statement that she's in a locker room and should expect to be hit on. In addition, she's a woman in a locker room with men walking around with their penises out so she's bound to be attracted to someone. ...what? Not only does her being in a locker room give men the right to harass her, she now is automatically attracted to any naked male when she sees his genitalia. Try again.

The entire story is fishy, but whether created for controversy or not, the issue still remains that it is not OK for any woman, no matter what she chooses to wear, to be the subject of sexual harassment; on the street, in the office, or on the sideline. I'd definitely like to hear your take on the story!


For updates on what Ms. Sainz has been up to:

Ines Sainz has spoken out to say that she doesn't want to be in locker rooms again: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-09/jets-reporter/story/ines-sainz-says-she-wants-out-of-nfl-locker-rooms

Ines Sainz grabs attention at the Super Bowl XLV Media Day: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/ines-sainz-media-day-super-bowl_n_817265.html

Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/inessainz

Survey says...

Recently, I noticed I wasn't getting positive feedback from everyone, which is expected. It's a blog and you can't expect everyone to be nice to you. One comment in particular, left on both my blog and Tiffany George's blog suggested that no matter what a woman does or says, a man will ignore what she has to say when he's in a room with his friends, unless he's faking interest or she's an attractive person. I didn't find any validity in this statement, but it's not up to me. This is something clearly believed by people, and I thought it would be an interesting experiment to crowdsource based on "typical stereotypes" and see what the general public had to say.

On a Thursday a few weeks ago, I put out on Twitter that I would be asking a series of questions, intended for men only, and asked for their thoughts on the subject matter. I was not expecting the responses I received, and many of them backed my gut feeling that this was false. Below are the questions I asked, and the answers I received. Some questions were pulled directly from comments I received, and others came from statements I have heard from other sports fans. What better way to find out what the real assumption is than polling the people?

I would definitely like to know your opinion on the things stated. There's a lot of material here, but each raises a great point.

Question 1
As a man, are you generally interested in what a woman has to say about sports?

@dmoody46 - Regardless of gender, the first thing that comes out of a person's mouth will usually determine my interest of what the person has to say. Personally, talking to women about sports seems to be less of a headache to me than talking to men. Most of the time, men always have to be right and it turns into a testosterone match. Women, on the other hand, will debate but won't cause your head to explode either.
@loubezjakfmn - if she is passionate and knows her stuff about sports then yes makes for great conversation
@NYSportzNut - yes as women can bring a different perspective about sports related issues.
@dcplaya - Yes as long as they are knowledgeable enough to understand the sport or are willing to become knowledgeable
@smo513 - As a sports fan, and a man, I am interested in what anyone has to say about sports AS LONG AS they know what they are talking about, or are trying to learn something. I don't like listening to people talk about sports who don't know what they are saying or have horribly wrong information, man or woman. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt initially, until they say something stupid that allows me to form an opinion of their knowledge.
@mcmcglynn - Yes I love talking about sports to women. They have great passion about the sports they follow.
@micahsussman - yes, I value any opinion on sports as long as it is based in fact
@reddy_dean - I do care about what a girl has to say about sports, because stereotyping is generally very bad.
@TheHappyRecap - Very interested!, there's been so much repetetive drivel from the boys club these past decades, it's nice to hear new voices.
@BrandonFlorkey - I'd say yes. I started following you based off your opinions on different sports-based hashtags.
@asloan23 - Yeah I'm interested in what a woman has to say. Just to see if they have a different take on things or different perspective
@onbasemachine - I LOVE women that like sports, especially baseball. This girl I was talking to was a baseball fan.... And I loved discussing baseball with her. Male or female, I'll talk sports with anyone.
@redsfan1966 - I am usually interested in ANYONE's opinion on sports...
@jasonhickey - I'm interested in what intelligent sports fans have to say. It doesn't matter what sex you are, just as long as you're not a lout about it.
@jmillender – Absolutely. As long as she has informed questions and knows what she is talking about
@UC_SID - I am, especially if they're knowledgeable about sports. Women often bring a diff. POV and perspective ... Also, women tend to be more passionate and know more about the game itself & not just a fan. Most men are just fans. Women are fans but most can give legit reasons why
@VBH126 - yes as long as it's a somewhat informed opinion. totally different perspective on most issues than guys (obviously)
@metstwerp - It depends on how much she knows about the sport. But I wouldnt care what a guy said about a sport either if I knew he didnt know what he was talking about. If I know a person is knowledgable on the subject being discussed, I dont care what sex they are. This pretty much goes for any subject, not just sports.
@thedodgerhater - It of course depends on what sport she is talking about. For instance, I wouldn't really care if a man OR woman was talking about UConn ladies hoops. But yeah, I find it's so rare to find women that talk about sports at an in-depth level, so when I do come across such a woman/discussion, I'm definitely interested in what they have to say. Part of it is intrigue and part of it is admiration. A lot of guys find it very attractive. The other part of the male sports fan population is threatened by it and will try to shoot them down because of a self-conscious intimidation factor.
By the same token, if a girl is saying things that are either unfounded or incorrect about certain sports topics, it would almost be better if they didn't try, because I personally would be bothered by it, just as if a man were as ill-informed.

Question 2
True or false: If you’re with your friends you are not interested in what a woman says about sports unless she’s hot. Why?

@metstwerp - Its a macho thing. Guy needs to act like "aww, she's just a chick, what does she know". Meanwhile one of two things is going on. Either he is interested in what she says but doesnt want to show it, or is intimidated that she knows more than he does. I think most guys will "fake" interest if she is hot, but that has nothing to do with being with friends. Thats just a guy wanting to get laid. That "fake" interest may actually be real though as per previous statement. Did any of this make sense?
@dmoody46 - For me, this is false. If you and I were out somewhere and you brought up something to prove me wrong and someone told me that I was put in my place by a girl, I would tell them that they're right and carry on with my life. If someone knows something that I don't and it's brought to my attention, so be it. Intelligence is a bigger platform for me when it comes to talking about sports than gender and sex appeal.
@thedodgerhater - For the most part, when a dude is out with his friends, his main goal is to get phone numbers, etc. The same guys that are interested in what women have to say about sports alone/sober, are the same guys who would care about what they have to say no matter the scenario.
Sleazy dudes always feign interest in what girls have to say about any topic... which is why they are sleazes.
@smo513 - Sometimes true, sometimes false (probably not the answer you were looking for). Many times, when guys are watching sports with their guy friends, a woman's interruption doesn't usually go over well and isn't usually taken seriously. However, if a woman says something that is insightful, then the guys may form a different opinion about her and welcome her in future conversations. I have seen this happen quite often.
@jmillender - For me, false. As long as she knows what she is talking about. Looks have NO bearing (although good looking girls who know sports is cool). I have often had better sports conversations with females than some males. I think our generation is moving past the "females don't know or belong in sports" mentality, although I think some females sportscasters are hired for there looks and not what they know.
@reddy_dean - Not true for me, but there are a lot of shallow people out there so I'll say True, I guess.
@micahsussman - True (mostly) Guys have to seem macho, and unless the girl has a VAST knowledge of sports, the guy thinks he knows more
@redsfan1966 - unfortunately that statement is typically true...
@dcplaya - Usually true, doesnt want to seem inferior in front of his guy friends about sports. Also doesnt want to get shown up by girl
@soulsesdents - You might be hanging with the wrong guys. I can appreciate when a woman shows knowledge about sports. Seems no different.
@NYSportsNut - false...as long as she comes across as knowledgeable.
@UC_SID - For me, that's false. Only time I don't want to hear what a woman has to say about sports is when SHE'S faking it ... honestly I'd rather talk sports w/ a woman because w/ men it usually ends up being a shouting match of "your team sucks"
@asloan23 – false
@vbh126 - if she knows her shit, i'm interested. most don't (which is not a knock, just fact from my experience). bonus pts if hot tho
@redsfan1966 - The guys probably feel "threatened" or "weak" if a female appears to know more or the same about sports..the hot thing..welll
@mnmcglynn - false. if she knows her stuff guys love that . nothing worst then girls who thinks all sports are stupid.

Question 3
Do you know any women that know more about sports than you or have taught you something you didn’t know? Is this intimidating?

@metstwerp - You know more than me on more than one topic, especially when it comes to current teams and players. This does not bother me in the least. My female friend was a sports writer for a couple of years, so it certainly wouldnt bother me if I found out she knew more than I did on a particular topic. I would be no more bothered to know you know more than me on a subject than if it was a guy.
@smo513 - Yes, I know several women that know more about certain sports than I do. I don't think it is intimidating at all, because I am always willing to learn new things about sports that I don't know much about, so if someone wants to share some knowledge, I'm always willing to listen. On many occasions, I have asked women questions about particular sports.
@jmillender - I have not met one but would not find it intimidating.
@dmoody46 - I do know women that know more than me or have taught me something that I didn't know, but it typically does not intimidate me. For example, when it comes to talking about the Mets, Islanders, or other teams that my girlfriend follows more than me, I don't try to be all macho and act like I know what I'm talking about because I don't. I use it as a chance to learn, not a chance to prove that I have testicles.
@thedodgerhater - I do have some female friends I've met through Twitter that know a ton about Minor League Baseball-- especially the Giants farm system. It's rare that I run out of things to say about a topic, because I pride myself in being able to have at least a basic conversation about everything from the Blue Jackets to the Daytona 500, but it is a little strange at first to not know as much as someone on a topic, whether it is a man or woman.
Personally, I'm one of the guys (who may be in the minority) that find sports knowledge by women extremely attractive, and although not exactly a concrete prerequisite for some sort of relationship, it's definitely a considerable factor.
@UC_SID - yes I do, and know it's not. Of course, I'm always willing to learn from those who know more than myself
@asloan23 - Yeah Andrea knows more about hockey than I do and no it isn't intimidating
@NYSportzNut - outside of twitter, I do not know many women who are as into sports as I am... I can have great sports convos with many of my female followers on twitter though and its not intimidating at all.
@redsfan1966 - Yes....I guess it is slightly "emasculating"...
@tonester5 - I actually know one that is very close in knowledge. not intimidating - more attracting.
@reddy_dean - Yes, women have told me something related to sports that I didn't already know. No, it wasn't intimidating.
@michasussman – Yes on both accounts. It can be intimidating, but its more exciting as it gives us something more to talk about.
@philhensel - you know much more about hockey than most ppl (including me) I know do. No I'm not intimidated
@tinosorambler - I've never met a woman who knows more about sports in general than me, but I have met a couple with better specific knowledge
@mnmcglynn - I know tons about all kinds of sports but I often meet women who know more about one sport then me. Baseball the most.
@aka_elvis - again depends on the woman...but then again I've been just as many clueless men as women so it is what it is...
@jmillender - Doesn't matter as long as the person saying it is credible.

Question 4
If you read or hear a valid statement about sports, does it make a difference to you or change your perception if it is said by a man or woman?

@metstwerp - No. Information is information. I dont care how I get it.
@soulesdents – not at all
@redsfan1966 – no
@UC_SID - no not really. It'd affect my opinion of the person but not because of their gender
@micahsussman - um no, valid statements are valid for a reason
@philhensel - problem is most sideline reporters (primarily female) rarely say anything valid. Always ask same? What are u gonna do in 2nd
@tonester5 - Does not change my perception, man or woman.
@reddy_dean - No, it doesn't matter. Men and women alike can be fools.
@dcplaya - Not at all. If the statement is valid or meaningful, who cares what gender it came from.
@mnmcglynn - it depends on the subject but for the most part no...there are some items in sports that are gender specific.
@dmoody46 - No. Validity trumps gender every day and twice on Sundays

I must say I wasn't expecting this big of a response. It was interesting though to find so many people that, for the most part, believed these statements to be untrue. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with these faithful tweeters?

Shameless Plug Time!

My good friend Jonathan Machuga hosts his own podcast, "Cincinnati Fast Break." Since Tiffany George and I recently created these blogs, and he is very supportive of women in sports, he invited us on his show to share our thoughts and give us another platform to push for change.

You can check out the podcast here: http://chuges.podbean.com/2011/02/01/2111-women-in-sports-roundtable/

Go, My Favorite Sports Team, Go!

I’ve gotten a multitude of inquiries over the past 3 years as to why I have such a broad range of teams that I support. With every new Twitter follower I get, the question comes again, “How did you become a Mets fan? How do you follow so many different sports? Who’s your favorite? What do you do when these teams play each other?” My dear Twitter friend, @citycynic, told me one day that it would be interesting to write a blog about how I keep up with all of my teams. What better way to put the information out there? I took his suggestion, and here entails the story of my life as a sports fan.

Baseball

The top of my list, the cream of the crop, my true favorite sport. As a child, football was always my cup of tea. It was easy for me to understand, and I could run around the house at two years old, throwing my arms up in the air yelling, “TOUCHDOWN!” I also believed Boomer Esiason was my boyfriend for quite a few years, but that’s a story for another time. Baseball holds a special place in my heart. Don’t get me wrong; I love football. But there’s something about the game, something about the history of baseball that touches me in ways that football cannot. The sounds, the smells, the stories; it envelopes me. Now here’s the fun part.

The Cincinnati Reds. Where professional baseball all began. How could I not have an appreciation for the team that helped to influence the start of what would become an integral part of my life, and hopefully career? I was born and raised in Cincinnati, which is also where I currently reside. I will always, and I mean always, root for my home team. I go to countless games a year and I travel to see them on the road (nine times this season.) There is nothing that could ever come between me and the Reds. I eat, sleep, and breathe Cincinnati baseball. I bleed Reds. If it’s the Big Red Machine, 4,192, Crosley Field, or Barry Larkin, I know it, and I love it.

The New York Mets. Here’s where people start to get confused.

“Aren’t you supposed to have one National League team and one American League team?”

In my world? Never.

The New York Mets are a second love, and very near and dear to my heart. How did I fall in love with such a team, you ask? It’s all in the history. I learned, heard, and read enough about the Mets to wish I lived in the 1960s. I also wish I lived in New York. I feel at home in the big city. I’m a true sucker for an underdog story. The 1960s Mets are a relatable team. They were human; they made mistakes, and in the end they rose above. During a time when New York baseball was immortal, when the players were untouchable, a team arose out of nowhere that people could stand behind and say, “Hey, they’re like me.”

My love for them comes along with my love for one of my favorites to ever play the game; Nolan Ryan. He started his career in New York and made his one and only appearance in the World Series as a Met. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming I shouldn’t have to explain Nolan Ryan; I’m going to assume you already know.

Historically, I know and love plenty about Nolan Ryan, and about the Mets. But why do I love the Mets today? Mike Piazza. I firmly believe that I am not the only person who fell in love with the Mets due in large part to Mike Piazza. I can define my love for the Mets getting stronger through time and section it by labeling the eras as before, during, and after Piazza, although he has never truly left in the hearts of diehards. He is an admirable guy, one hell of a ball player, and a Mets legend.

“What do you do when the teams play each other?”

I root for the Reds, plain and simple. I hate to watch either team lose, and I hate to have to watch them play each other. I love to have both of my teams in the same place at the same time, but ultimately, someone gets the number in the loss column. I will never turn my back on the Reds. I can also never deck myself out in Mets gear and walk into Great American BallPark. I would feel I have done wrong to the team who sparked my love for the sport, and to my hometown. I know I don’t get to see them very often, but it’s no excuse for me to don Mets garb and root against the Reds. I can also never boo the Mets, and not at least clap for a home run. It gets complicated, but I love and support them both the best ways I know how.

Football

I can pick a team and develop rooting interests in the playoffs solely because I don't want to see another team succeed. This is what happens to me a majority of the time because my team is never in the playoffs, and not surprisingly enough, my team is the Cincinnati Bengals.

*Gasp* terrible, isn't it? People will ask me how I can stand being a fan of this organization. I can't. People will ask when I predict things will change in this organization. Never. People will ask when this team will get a clue. They won't. Yet, there isn't a bandwagoning bone in my body. The Bengals have quit me time and again, but I can't quit them. I was raised to love the Bengals and I always will. My hometown, my team, and sometimes it's unfortunate that I'm stuck with them. But I'll never give up on them. I have an ignorant and incompetent owner in Mike Brown, an even more incompetent successor in his daughter Katie, a coach that can't stand his players, players that can't stand their coach, and a quarterback that wants out. I have defense that can't tackle my grandmother and an extremely predictable offensive coordinator. The Bengals sure won't be a successful team next year but they'll have plenty of drama and cat fights to beat out any and all news involving Jenn Sterger.

Hockey

Ah, yes. The Canadian's sport of choice. I'm a huge hockey fan in a non-hockey city. The closest things we have to the NHL since the departure of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks are the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones and the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets. Still, this city will never be a hockey town.

Columbus Blue Jackets
My rooting interests here are developed solely from proximity. They're the closest I can get to NHL games, and the only NHL team in the state of Ohio. I love my Jackets, and I love the guys on the team, but I must say they haven't been too successful since their establishment.

New York Islanders
Before you tell me I'm a cursed sports fan, I already know. I'm a fan of the "second-hand" New York hockey team, but I wouldn't have it any other way. If someone told me I had to put the name "Avery" across my back or I couldn't be a hockey fan, I'd have to dismiss the sport. I'm still in love with what a great team this was in the 1980s and what I hope they can be.I don't know that I'll ever see a Stanley Cup in Long Island, but here's to high hopes.

Philadelphia Flyers
They're rude! They're crude! They're Philly fans! I wouldn't call myself any of those, but I would call myself a Flyers fan. If you're not a Flyers fan, you probably hate the Flyers. But I will forever love the Broad Street Bullies. A team with a tough reputation, and a reputation for having tough fans. You hate Chris Pronger, I love him. I'd say my love for the boys from Philly began as a love for team history, and then Mike Richards came along. My favorite player in the National Hockey League. I'll still be a fan long after he's gone.

I'll keep preaching to this city about hockey, and only a handful will understand me, but that's just fine.

I love winter sports, international hockey, and I'll watch the Olympics for hours on end. This may have been just another background piece, but it all relates back to why I love sports, as a woman. I don't think any reasoning I've said here wouldn't be said by any other male fan. Brandon Phillips has a nice smile, the Bengals have awesome striped helmets, and Mike Richards is a decent-looking hockey player who has all of his teeth. None of that matters. These are the reasons that I give to attempt to break the barrier between men and women in the world of sports. I don't like "cutesie" uniforms, I don't believe in pink in sports, and I don't like teams because my boyfriend told me to. It's simple, people. Women not only like sports, but they UNDERSTAND them.

My name is Elise, and I have an addiction.

What's a story without an introduction? It's like coming into a football game in the second half during a huge comeback. The comeback means little to you, because you can't appreciate where the team started.

That's where this blog post picks up; before the comeback. As I've already used a sports analogy, and you've most likely read the title of this blog, it's safe to say you know that my addiction is sports. Statistics are my heroine and the excitement of a rally is what drives me to come back for more. There is something about sports that draws me in. Maybe it's the feeling of being connected to millions of people by the love of one common thing, and the camaraderie it creates. Maybe it's the sense of accomplishment you feel when your beloved team wins, although you have been nothing but a mere cheerleader. Whatever it is, I never want it to go away.

So where did this passionate love affair come from? I have a very "sporty" family. My parents loved the Big Red Machine, my dad is an emphatic Bengals fan, and my aunt knows more sports trivia than is healthy. You could say my family instilled in me a love for sports, but the passion came from following for years and years on end.

The basis of this blog is to reach out to other women that are similar to me, and to help the women who are not, and most importantly men, understand what it's like to be a female not only interested in sports, but works professionally in the sports industry. As much as I want to be treated as an equal, it's something I have to face that 95% of the time, I won't be. There's more to women in sports than admiring uniform colors or taking pictures of a batter's behind in his stance.