Sports have changed, but gender stereotypes will not

Sexism in sports is often framed as a problem the industry is slowly growing, and, in some ways, that’s true. The situation is very different than before, and many people are willing to speak out when faced with discrimination.

But situations like the one we just shared with Ève “Colomblbl” Monvoisin and Maya “Calty” Henckel were League of Legends Scenes show that this industry is far from inclusive.

In March, Colombbl explained that she was rejected from the group because she is a woman. Soon after, Caltys shared the same story from the beginning of his career, where he was considered the best choice for the role, but was fired for the same reason. Their stories quickly spread throughout the community, and many others added their own experiences.

Here again, the way that has existed for years is made clear to all.

The reaction to these stories also means something important. There is a huge backlash now, as many people question these decisions rather than accept them as part of the plan. And that change is also important.

However, it also highlights how often the responsibility to speak out falls on people who are already victims of harassment and discrimination in public – let alone engaging in private conversations.

In both the Colombbll and Caltys cases, the reason for the exclusion was not performance, but the idea that a woman could “disrupt” the team. However, this type of thinking says more about the nature than the player as it suggests a lack of expertise from the entire team – including the staff.

However, the result falls on the dispossessed person.

Ability becomes secondary to second guessing someone else’s behavior, and “unfairness” becomes a way to justify the real reasons for a decision, which will be very difficult to defend clearly.

This kind of logic has shaped esports for a long time. It is not always seen as direct discrimination. Often, it manifests itself in silent ways, through the use of illegal power, unspoken discomfort, or the perception that some players are simply “not working” on the team.

However the result is the same, and the odds are not distributed based on success alone.

However, there are signs of change. The reaction to these stories shows that many people in the scene are no longer accepting these explanations without question, and what was once passed in silence is now sparking discussion.

That doesn’t solve the issue in itself, but it shows that the culture is being challenged.

According to the 2025 Global Power of Play report from the Entertainment Software Association, women now make up 48% of global gamers – but this is not a recent development.

A study by the Pew Research Center more than a decade ago already revealed that 48% of women played video games, but what was different was that recognition. In that same study, 15% of men who played games identified as gamers, compared to only 6% of women. A few numbers that show how much and for how long women do not feel allowed in the space, or feel guilty for being in it.

But these changes often start early, long before competitive sports are a possibility. For many girls, access to play has historically been shaped by different societal expectations than boys. While this isn’t universal, it’s still common to see boys being given more time, space, and even resources to play video games, whether that means owning a console, spending hours online, or simply being encouraged to treat gaming as a legitimate hobby.

On the other hand, girls are often expected to balance their time differently, help out more at home, focus on school in a “serious” way, or be guided to traditional paths such as stable jobs or starting a family. These are not always clear boundaries, but they influence how much time and confidence a person can invest in gaming from a young age.

That difference doesn’t go away over time, but it builds up to something big. By the time entering esports or the wider gaming industry becomes an option, many women are already starting from a different place, often with little experience, few connections, and little motivation to pursue it seriously.

At the same time, male-dominated areas tend to be self-reinforcing, as appearances play a large role in shaping who feels like they belong. When most professional players, coaches, or decision makers are men, it becomes harder for women to imagine themselves in those roles, and even harder to be accepted once they try to enter. Women and other marginalized genders play video games, but more often than not stay out of public spaces for more than one reason.

However, this is also where change is slowly happening, as more women push into these spaces and challenge expectations. Yet the impact of those early social and cultural norms remains visible and continues to shape not only who participates, but also who is given the opportunity to succeed.

I have experienced discrimination since 2019, when I entered the scene, in and out of the game. However, I feel that my experience has been mild compared to what many others have experienced at the same time. But the fact that these “normal” insults, dismissive comments, and racist situations were considered to me as “mild” shows how common these situations are for women in sports.

When I first joined the press, I was the only woman on the team. When I worked as a referee for a major international tournament organizer, I was the only woman on my team for two years. And during that time, I was often described in conflicting ways: kind, but very strong; who talks a lot, but doesn’t talk enough. I often found myself declaring sexism, which would further explain how I was viewed by my colleagues. These labels were not meant to be worn all the time, but they changed how I was perceived by everyone in the same place. My work was not always the first thing that shaped how others defined me.

As my career has progressed, I’ve worked with colleagues who appreciate what I do rather than focusing on my gender, but that’s not a common experience. Many women and gender stereotypes in sports still face strong barriers, fewer opportunities, and increased pressure to consistently prove themselves.

There are real efforts to improve the situation. Some organizations invest in programs, mixed lists, and competitions to support the marginalized gender. These programs create the space, visibility, and starting point that a primary ecosystem often does.

Yet the need for these spaces also shows the limits of current progress. As long as players of the marginalized gender can still be excluded for reasons unrelated to their performance, the system itself remains incomplete. As long as the girls help set the table instead of playing a round of Mario Kart like their brothers, the ecosystem is missing out on potential world champions.

The sports industry today exists in that tension. Stories get attention, conversations follow, and for a while, it feels like change is within reach – however, the cycle is familiar.

Attention fades, conversation continues, and similar issues are pushed aside to make room for the next one. Change is happening, but not at the same pace everywhere, and not always in permanent ways. Until these moments lead to consistent action rather than momentary reaction, the environment will continue to move forward, but never reach its potential.