Whoopi Goldberg speaks to CNN about the launch of the All Women’s Sports Network

CNN
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Whoopi Goldberg The latest initiative, the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), has been long in the making.

“I think I’ve gotten too old lately and I’m tired of waiting,” the legendary actor and comedian said. CNN Sports Don Riddell. “So I realized that if you want something, you have to go and try to do it. It took 16 years, but hey!

With the launch of AWSN in the US last week, Goldberg has finally achieved his long-time goal. Available in 65 countries and operating 24/7, it is the first global network dedicated entirely to women’s sports.

channel It will show live and delayed broadcasts of events such as the UEFA Women’s Nations League, the Women’s Tennis Association and the FIBA ​​3×3 Women’s Series.

After a big year for the WNBA, along with soaring popularity women’s football And women’s golfGoldberg explained that AWSN aims to showcase as much as possible from around the world.

“We want it all. And the great thing is, we can go after things that aren’t shown just because we’re not based in America. I hope so too. “I hope to be a place where you can see not only women’s sports, but everything related to women in sports,” she explained.

“I have no problem with ESPN and other groups, but they don’t really cover some of the things people play there.”

Despite the development of sports branches, female athletes still appear on television much less than male athletes. A. 2021 study by USC and Purdue University It found that 95% of total U.S. sports television coverage in 2019 focused on men.

In other countries, the presence of women’s sports in the national consciousness lags even further behind. In Saudi Arabia, one of the countries where AWSN is broadcast, women were banned From even entering sports stadiums by 2018.

One of Goldberg’s aspirations is for the network to make a significant impact on the lives of people around the world.

“This is my hope. “I hope so,” he said. “My job is to put this out there and explain it in a positive way. It’s not like people are so stupid, it’s to explain it and remind people that women have been carrying the ball for a long time.

“My god, we have babies and then we go play tennis!” he laughed. “We are an extraordinary group of people.

“One of the things we say at AWSN is: ‘When he wins, we all win.’ Another victory for us as the human race. This is my self-sacrificing faith.”

Despite its goal of inspiring women around the world, Goldberg explained that the network wants to attract all sports fans, regardless of their gender.

“For some reason everything seems to be compartmentalized,” he said. “And that’s not what sports should be about. He must be the best athlete here. So I believe that die-hard sports fans will understand this and say, ‘Okay, let’s see who’s doing what.'”

Goldberg is no stranger to supporting causes he believes in. invested this year Black-focused publishing platform Blkfam and launched a line of hemp products, Emma and ClydeHe was named after his mother and brother.

But the “Sister Act” star said other than her daughter, AWSN might be the accomplishment she’s most proud of.

“This may be something that will continue into a future I may not see,” he said. “I like the idea of ​​having a hand in the future.”