We 'Added the M' to Men’s Sports Leagues in a Move for Gender Equity

Have you ever noticed that women’s sports always have a “W” for women’s sports, and men’s sports just get to be called sports? Today a campaign launched to change that by adding an M to the NBA, NHL, MLS and PGA logos, and top athletes and sports figures are already on board. 

The movement “Add The M”, which tackles the four biggest sports in North America that have both men’s and women’s leagues, is being led by YWCAs across Canada and has already gained the support of sports figures like soccer star Christine Sinclair, TSN host Jennifer Hedger, and Sportsnet host Tara Slone. 
 

One of the movement’s earliest supporters is soccer’s top international goal scorer. No, not Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s Christine Sinclair, who, despite what you’ll find on google, is actually ahead of the top scoring male player (Ronaldo) along with nine other women.  

“Without the M, men’s sports leagues are treated as the default for all sports, automatically leaving women out of the conversation,” says Sinclair. “It’s hard to fight for equality, when all of women’s sports are treated as an afterthought.”

Athletes and supporters are proudly repping the M badges and posting their support for the initiative online. Anyone who wants to lend their support can visit LetsAddTheM.com and download an M badge for free, then share it on social media using #AddtheM and tagging @YWCACanada.

“One in three girls drop out of sports in their late teens, compared to just one in ten boys,” says Amy Juschka, Director of Communications and Advocacy with YWCA Metro Vancouver. “Girls are losing out on all the advantages sport provides as they move into adulthood – from health and wellness, to leadership development, to the support of a team. We want to see added investment, opportunity and representation for women in sport. Add The M is a way for us to confront the gender disparity that is affecting women athletes at all levels.”         

Visit LetsAddTheM.com for more information and to download your M Badge.

Notable supporters of Add The M include: 

• Christine Sinclair, Captain of Canada’s National Women’s Soccer Team & Portland Thorns FC
• Jennifer Hedger, Co-Host of TSN’s Sportscentre 
• Tara Slone, Host of Sportsnet’s Top of Her Game and Co-host of Rogers Hometown Hockey
• Blake Murphy, Raptors reporter & Co-Host of Sportsnet’s The Fan 
• Donnovan Bennett, Host and Senior Writer at Sportsnet 
• Abby Albino, Co-founder of Makeway & Director of Brand and Partnerships for Canada Basketball.