Spokane Sports hosts women’s sports discussion panel

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Montvale center in downtown Spokane was busy Tuesday evening as local organization Spokane Sports hosted “Beyond the Baseline,” a panel discussion about the current state of women’s sports.

“I knew women’s sports were on a rocket ship ride, investment was coming, and I wanted to be on that train,” panel moderator and Seattle business owner Jen Barnes said.

That’s what inspired her to open Rough and Tumble, her Seattle sports bar and restaurant. It’s built on the promise that men’s and women’s sports are shown equally on their TVs.  

“Men’s and women’s sports deserve complete equity and equality when it comes to viewership and fan base,” Barnes said. “I knew without any question this was going to be super popular. It took a lot of courage and bravery to step out and be the first one, but time and time again and day in and day out, it’s proven to be the right decision.”

The panel brought together people with a passion for sports to network, build community, and celebrate progress.

“It’s incredibly important to be here, because, like I emphasized before, the importance of being around like-minded people and in a community of really strong women that genuinely want to see you succeed in not just the sport, but outside of it too,” ParaSport Spokane athlete and panel attendee Jessica Bellefeuille said.

Headlining the panel was professional basketball player Cierra Burdick, who, while winning championships and Olympic medals, is also investing in the sport she loves. 

“The people that I’ve been able to meet through this game, the places that it’s taken me, I’ve been all around the world doing what I love,” Burdick said. “It’s only right that I give back to the game that’s given so much to me.”

Burdick also offers a challenge to those who aren’t yet women’s sports fans or believers. 

“Just go to a game,” said Burdick. “Go to a game. If you don’t like it, fine. But I don’t know of anybody who has actually gone to a women’s game, given it a chance, and not loved it.” 

This is the first of several events hosted by Spokane Sports this week ahead of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games hosted at the Spokane Arena.