The thing about being a girl in the sports world is you’re always being underestimated. Some of us genuinely enjoy just watching sports, some of us grew up playing them and some of us had the crazy idea to turn our sports knowledge into a career path. Whichever category you fit into, you’ve probably experienced these things before:

1. “You wouldn’t know, you’ve never played.”

While I do agree that there are some aspects to understanding sports that come with being an athlete, never having played a sport does not mean I don’t understand what’s going on.

2. Guys are surprised you have sports apps on your phone.

Yes, some of us like to keep up with our favorite teams and some of us have busy lives and can’t sit down for three hours to watch a game.

3. Overly proud men trying to explain a sporting event to you.

We get it, you played high school ball and you and your team just fell short of a state championship your senior year. Cool. I’m watching Yadier Molina hose a guy at second base, I don’t need you talking to me while I’m trying to see if the ump calls him out or safe.

4. “Is this boring for you?"

The worst thing for a girl who understands sports is going on a date with a guy who used to play the sport you’re watching. Most of us don’t sit at the edge of our seat, screaming and waving our fists in the air the whole game. Just because we’re sitting quietly doesn’t mean we’re not following the game.

5. Finding a job based on your experience and not your favorite sports team.

This one is my absolute favorite. Many times in sports, the girls who know what they’re talking about and have the qualifications to do the job lose out to the men who have no prior experience and no work ethic because they are self-proclaimed die-hard sports fans. Playing two years of intramural soccer, graduating with a general studies degree, but knowing everything about the Premier League doesn’t make you more qualified to do anything than the girl who spent all four years in an internship and graduated with a relevant degree.

6. “Sorry babe, I can’t. The game is on.”

We know the game is on--we get the ESPN updates too, “babe.” How about, “Hey babe let’s watch the game and go to dinner later?” The assumption that we don’t want to watch sports is insulting. It’s like when we say, “Oh yeah I'm going to Vegas this weekend--I would have invited you but I didn't think you’d have fun.” Of course you’d have fun. It’s Vegas.

7. Being a fan of the “wrong” team.

Some of us are from LA and don’t like the Dodgers. This doesn’t make us unintelligent--that just means we don’t have a boner for Kershaw like the rest of you. Don't make fun of us for being a Rams fan when you like the Oilers.

8. Liking sports because the guys are hot.

Obviously, women have no motives other than getting guys. Actually, our sole purpose in life is to find a hot athlete who makes $3+ million on a 7-year contract who can take care of us for the rest of our lives, right? Yes, there is something to be said about an attractive, 6’4” 240-lb, pure muscle tight end, but that doesn’t mean that’s all we’re paying attention to. You guys don’t watch gymnastics because you want to see if her legs were straight in her double layout dismount off bars…

If women started treating men the way men treat us, the world would probably explode--starting with sports. So ladies, if you like sports, don’t ever let a man belittle you. There’s a good chance he’s just intimidated.