New season of Ted Lasso highlights realities for women in Aotearoa sport

The latest season of the Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso is drawing comparisons to the real-world experiences of sportswomen in Aotearoa. In a piece published by The Spinoff on 30 August 2026, guest writer Zoe George reports that while the show uses humor to address the indignities of women’s sports, many of the scenarios are grounded in facts familiar to New Zealand athletes. The series follows AFC Richmond as it establishes a women’s team, highlighting issues such as substandard facilities and inadequate equipment. George notes that these fictional struggles mirror the history of top New Zealand teams. For instance, the Black Ferns did not receive a bespoke women’s-fit jersey until 2021, three decades after the team first formed. Similarly, the White Ferns previously had to sew their own uniforms. Media representation remains a significant hurdle for equity in the sector. Data cited by George shows that in 2025, only 26% of sports news coverage in Aotearoa was dedicated to women’s sport. This figure would have dropped to 23% without the inclusion of the women’s rugby and cricket World Cups. During the most recent Women’s Rugby World Cup, 56% of all rugby coverage still focused on the men’s game. Despite these disparities, the report highlights the resilience and growing engagement within the community. While women’s sport has historically faced a lack of commercial investment and even long-term bans in some codes, more people are now engaging with women’s sports than ever before. George suggests that while the "jokes" in Ted Lasso might be frustratingly accurate, they also provide a platform to discuss the fundamental rights of women to have space, resources, and recognition in the sporting arena.