Don Lemon told CNN Thursday morning after observing that male athletes make more money than female athletes because men’s sports make more money than women’s sports. I had a heated discussion with the co-anchor.
In a segment on “CNN This Morning,” Lemon irritated his co-anchors Caitlin Collins and Poppy Harlow by commenting on the pay gap between the U.S. men’s and U.S. women’s national soccer teams. It has a bigger platform.
“I am not sexist,” Lemmon argued, saying that our “capitalist society” benefits a product in high demand, in this case male sports, and that male athletes earn higher incomes. I objected.
The debate began as CNN data analyst Harry Enten explained the pay discrepancy between the two teams.
The U.S. women’s national soccer team is more successful than the men’s team, but in terms of games played and multiple World Cup wins – something the men’s team has never done before – Lemon said. He argued that it was irrelevant to the debate over whether the women’s team won. They should be paid more.
Anchor said, “I know people hate me, but the men’s team makes more money. If they make more money, they should get more money.” The two female presenters immediately stood on their hands at his remarks and tried to interrupt him.
Before discussing it outright, he said, “Men’s teams make more money because people are more interested in men!”
Harlow blamed “big media companies” for the low popularity of women’s sports. she said: Until the big media companies, the big tech companies, the advertisers make the investment and put more of them on the airwaves so people see it more and have more fans, you We will move forward towards greater equality. “
“But if they’re blocked in so many ways and aren’t so invested, they don’t even have a chance.
Lemon didn’t back down. He said, “I’m not sexist. I grew up the only boy in a family of all women.” , let’s be honest, not everyone has the same skills or the same interests in sports.”
“I think women should be paid more, I really do, but if men-” Collins interrupted him, sarcastically.
Poppy applauded Collins’ joke, but Lemmon dismissed it, saying, “Women have better skills than other better women, but when women play men, they win.” You won’t win in any way.
A frustrated Harlow replied, “I’m not even going to get into that debate.”
After the commercial break, the three resumed their discussion. Lemmon went on to defend his argument: “If there was more interest in men’s sports, we live in a capitalist society, so businessmen, people who make money in sports, put it on TV.” I’m saying put it on. The more people are interested in it, the more attention it will get and the more money it will get paid.”
Collins said, “Why is that people watching? Because it’s what they’re used to seeing. Why are they watching? was on TV.” Harlow acknowledged Colin’s claim, exclaiming: yes. “
“So it’s this systematic, institutionalized thing,” she added.