Women’s sports documentary series “Like a Girl” returns with second season
Excitement for women’s sports is building in the wake of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where women or women’s teams won two-thirds of the U.S. gold medals. Those interested in learning more about what it means to be an elite athlete, especially in lesser-known sports like flag football, and exploring sports-related issues like body image can delve deeper into season two of “Like a Girl,” available on Fuse and sponsored by Garnier Fructis and Pizza Hut.
Joy Taylor and MJ Acosta-Ruiz serve as executive producers and hosts this season. “We’re two sports reporters who already talk candidly and naturally about women’s sports and are sports fans. To have a platform where we can tell even deeper stories and really dive into different areas of the sports world is something very exciting,” said Acosta-Ruiz.
In the first episode, flag football world champion Diana Flores, who serves as an ambassador for the NFL, talked about how supportive her parents were, even though there were few girls in her sport.
“It’s a theme that runs throughout the show to highlight the positive elements in these athletes’ lives,” Taylor said. “Obviously we deal with a lot of misogyny, racism, sexism and challenges, but there are also people who are championing the cause. That can really … create an environment where we don’t have to have conversations about discrimination. That’s great, too.”
Earlier in their careers, Taylor and Acosta-Ruiz covered youth sports. “We know from the bottom of our hearts what it means to have that genuine support,” Acosta-Ruiz said.
Upcoming episodes will feature MMA fighters from Combate Global; an inside look at Angel City FC, a women-led professional soccer team; rapper and college basketball star Flau-jae Johnson; professional tennis player Taylor Townsend; and Olympic gymnast Emma Malabuyo, who represented the Philippines at the Paris Olympics and is a UCLA teammate of Jordan Chiles.
They’re excited to showcase emerging women’s sports alongside traditional sports like tennis and basketball. By bringing lesser-known stories to the forefront, a world of opportunity can open up for girls and women looking for a sport that fits their needs. Taylor also noted that flag football is a great door opener for women trying out for coaching men’s sports.
“We both understand the power of storytelling,” Taylor said.
“We hope that viewers who see these stories will also become fans,” said Acosta-Ruiz.
