Jim,
Why is the impression that the LPGA is heavily populated and influenced by lesbians a taboo subject in America?
Why are we afraid of the suggestion that this is a major impediment to their marketablility?
Why do we ignore the obvious in this nation in the name of political correctness? When they are discussing who to sponsor in the corporate board room, don't think for a minute that the lesbian image of the tour does not come up.
And when the money gets tight, they are the first ones to get the heave-ho.
The women are not as good as the guys. Period. Personally, I sometimes enjoy watching the LPGA simply because it is different. I also absolutely love watching the European Tour on TV late at night. . . . . . but I am a bit strange to begin with and hardly a representative sample of the rest of the world.
Let's say the women's volleyball tour generated enormous interest in the public's eye. Suppose their leading player was the most beautiful and talented women athlete on the planet.
(As an opposite comparison, whaddaya think, most of those girls follow Tiger, Phil and Freddie to watch their golf?)
And let's assume that the vast majority of the rest of women vollyballers were not only highly skilled, but also had that combination of athletic excellence and sex appeal. The entire package appealed to both men and women - although perhaps not for the same reasons. But they still sold out tickets wherever they went.
Now, along comes a competing men's volleyball tour. Let's say the net is a bit lower and the style of play is less exciting. Despite this, because volleyball is soooo popular, TV gives it a shot and they begin to attract some decent crowds.
Eventually, the public notices that a third of the players look like Chris Farley in a speedo, and although the rest of the players look like Richard Gere, half of them are unnaturally attached to their pet gerbils.
A few years down the line, depending on where the tournament is, the gallery becomes a parade of guys with tee shirts reading "Richard's Rodents" . . . . . . not exactly Arnie's Army, is it?
Welcome to Ty Votaw's world. Now go out and try to secure some title sponsors during a sour economy with earnings on the downslide.
PS: Regardless of the skill level, would the PGA Tour have achieved such astounding growth and success if Tiger and Freddie were gay? Please. There is no doubt that the Tour has gay men on it, just like the rest of the population - but unlike their female counterparts, they know it is not good for their livelyhood to rub everybody's nose in it.
It is all about image and money.
