Jemele Hill on Nick Kyrgios show: Female sports journalists must ‘brace themselves’ for sexist stereotypes

Jemele Hill says the next generation of female sports journalists should “brace themselves” for sexist stereotyping that still exists in the industry.

American sports journalist Hill was the latest guest to join professional tennis player and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios on ‘Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios’.

During their discussion, Hill was asked what she would say to aspiring women in her profession.

“I would tell them to really brace themselves for the fact that people are going to see what you aren’t before they see what you are,” Hill said.

“There are still a lot of stereotypes that women in sports journalism in particular face about our knowledge.

“The way that some people have stereotyped us, they act as if somehow all of our sports knowledge came directly from the genitalia we have.”

The 48-year-old has worked as a journalist since 1999, and she spoke openly to Kyrgios about how men and women continue to be viewed differently in the industry.

“There’s plenty of sports writers and commentators who have never played,” she said.

“But women get that all the time – ‘you didn’t play’ or ‘you can’t play’.

“Brace themselves for the fact that those stereotypes about why we’re in the profession are going to be there.

“You’re going to have to deal with that until people understand that you’re good at your job.”

Hill gave advice to younger journalists to “focus on the craft” and not get carried away trying to glamorise the job.

“I feel like so many of the younger journalists, because they see us on TV, they think we were born on television.

“It’s not about building a brand – you can’t build a brand if you don’t have a product.

“The product is you investing in your craft – learning how to be the best on air, learning how to be the best writer, the best interviewer, best at developing sources, best at building relationships with the people that you cover – that’s the part you should be invested in.

“The other things – the social media attention, the opportunity to do cool things, win cool awards – that will come as a result of the work you put in.”

Kyrgios praised Hill for her illustrious career to date.

“There’s an authenticity to you and your work,” he said. “You’ve stayed true to yourself.”