Op-Ed: With NY Liberty win, PSAL must get off the bench for gender equity

The WNBA Championship-winning New York Liberty have electrified enthusiasm for women’s sports. From skyrocketing home game attendance to the most beloved mascot in the country – Ellie the Elephant – the Liberty have given New York sports fans something to cheer about. Their big win over the Lynx this weekend is a triumph – for the team, for New York City and for women and girls everywhere.

Yet here in New York City, our public school athletic programs have frequently fallen short in delivering true gender equity. For years, we’ve seen how the execution of Title IX – which mandates equity in federally-funded school programs and activities – has faltered, often leaving female athletes without the resources, facilities and support they need to thrive. In 2006, then-Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released a report highlighting these disparities and the systemic issues that plague school athletics. Despite some progress, many of the problems identified in that report still exist today. The Liberty’s huge victory is a perfect opportunity to demand change.