The Association for Women in Sports Media has requested that the Ultimate Fighting Championship take action in regards to misogynistic comments made recently by president Dana White.
In a recent video blog, White lashed out at Sherdog.com reporter Loretta Hunt for a story she wrote about some fighter representatives being denied backstage access at UFC events. He used both misogynistic and homophobic language, and while White has apologized for his anti-gay comments, he has indicated he stands behind everything else he said, including language that is derogatory and denigrating toward women.
"This is disheartening because this behavior is unacceptable," AWSM president Jenni Carlson said. "It establishes a hostile work environment not only for Loretta but also for all women who cover the UFC. We cannot accept that any female sports journalist would have to work in an environment of intimidation or a hostile workplace."
Hunt has covered mixed martial arts for more than eight years and is a New York Times bestselling author. Her employer, Sherdog.com, provides mixed martial arts coverage for ESPN.com.
"AWSM has offered its support and encouragement to Loretta," Carlson said. "We will continue to do so.
"It is a mystery to me that a man who is always seeking more coverage and more exposure for his sport would disenfranchise some of the very people who are covering, sponsoring and watching his sport – women."
Among UFC’s major sponsors are Anhueser Busch and Harley-Davidson.
For more information, contact AWSM president Jenni Carlson at president@awsmonline.org.
