The reaction to Sam Kerr’s global cover debut should sound a loud wake-up call to sponsors and brands
Women buy the magazines, the products, the stuff. So why does the media, sport, and so many related brands, still appear to be behind? Shivani Gopal, founder & CEO of The Remarkable Woman lobbies for serious impact and equitable change.
When Sam Kerr became the first woman to appear on the global cover of FIFA 23’s Ultimate Edition worldwide, alongside French player Kylian Mbappé, the media reaction was immediate, wide and understandable. The underrepresentation of female athletes has been historic and widespread, Sports Illustrated notwithstanding, but the sexualisation of women on the cover of sports magazines is a whole other column.
Kerr’s appearance is encouraging, as is the recent Australian cover of Women’s Health magazine, featuring pregnant celebrity trainer Tiffany Hall, that made history.
