Martina Navratilova: evaluation

Transcript context

…The Olympics, but major league sports, it’s quite rare. It depends on what sport you’re in. It’s almost like if you’re a figure skater, you have to prove that you’re straight if you’re a man. [laughter] If you’re a softball player as a woman, you have to prove that you’re straight. It depends on the sport. But it’s difficult in team sports because if the coach is in any shape homophobic, you don’t get to play. You don’t get to compete. There was . . . I forget her name now. She played for Penn State, coach. Anybody can help me? She was a coach there. Rene Portland. She openly said, “I will not allow a lesbian on my team.” This was back in the ’80s, and proudly proclaimed to her parents that there are no lesbians on the team when she was recruiting her players. So do you come out? You don’t get to play. It’s difficult in team sports or professional sports, same thing. You would get blackballed by the league if you do the unpopular thing. It’s OK now. It’s better. Say you’re starting in the NBA. You’re a good player. You have a proven record. Very few people in that position have come out. Do you think it’s about endorsements or commercial factors or fandom? Because they’re not going to bench you the minute after you say . . .…

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