to be grateful to John Inverdale......

[curlew]

... For singlehandedly making feminism's point.

To add insult to injury, he is now (w)anchoring the BBC coverage of the Open golf tournament. From a club that doesn't allow women members.

You would think the broadcasters have sufficient muscle in this day and age, considering the amount of money they spend on these events, to ask organisers NOT to host tournaments at clubs with this policy. In the case of the BBC, half the money spent on the thing comes from female license payers.

Disgusting. I have never liked Inverdale and agree that if he had said something racist he would have been out the door before his feet touched the floor. But it's fine to be a sexist pig at the BBC

I will be complaining. Perhaps I should use a man's name to do it, they might take it seriously then!

You're right, unbelievable! He's back on today. Can you imagine what the Director General would say is this had happened 10 years ago before HE got HIS job. That's the BEEB for you I'm afraid. On air racism, a terrible, sackable offence. Sexism.. well.. who cares? only them ugly old Lesbo's..

"in a world where the public perception of tennis players is that they're all 6ft tall Amazonian athletes,"

This is Inverdale's basic mistake. He's telling us what he thinks; not all of the rest of us. Perhaps the BBC bigwigs don't get it because this is how they think too.

Absolutely .. Beeb bigwigs, and the highly paid presenters/journalists are all predominantly white, male, roughly same age, social class, live in the same affluent areas, shop in the same upmarket off licences and shops. Share Tuscany holiday homes.
Were schooled together , their kids play on the same Rugby and Cricket teams. Goes without saying they have similar views on what's acceptable in politics, society, etc.

That's the saddest thing about this whole miserable affair - that those answering the complaints simply don't get how insulting his comments were. Neither does Inverdale.
They really think it's so unimportant that a mealy-mouthed apology will suffice.

I am pleased that Cabinet Minister, Maria Miller, has written to the BBC about this.

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/18/maria-miller-john-inverdale-bbc-sexist

The Mail reported yesterday that Maria Miller wrote

She told Lord Hall: ?I am writing to express my concern over the comments made by John Inverdale about Marion Bartoli, during the BBC?s radio coverage of the Wimbledon women?s final.?
She added: ?It is ... a matter of some concern to me that any comment on the looks and stature of a female athlete could be made in the context of one of the highlights of the UK?s, and indeed the world?s, sporting calendar.

?I am sure you will agree with me that it is vital that young women and girls in this country feel motivated both to take part in and to watch coverage of sport, and to know that they are included in the enjoyment of sport, and catered for by the media just as much as the male audience.
?Whilst I note that Mr Inverdale has apologised both on-air and in writing to Ms Bartoli, I would be grateful for an update on any further action that is likely to be taken following [the] complaints, and whether there may be positive steps that the BBC could take in the future to ensure that the perception of and commentary on female athletes, and women?s sport generally, are as positive and inclusive as possible.?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2367504/Ministers-war-BBC-sexism-Culture-Secretary-demands-action-presenter-John-Inverdales-comments-tennis-star-looker.html

That has put the pressure on with the request for an update on any further action that is likely to be taken following [the] complaints

But, today, the Mail reports the following

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2369851/I-wont-sack-BBC-sexist-Director-general-says-John-Inverdale-learned-lesson-looker-jibe.html

"One senior BBC insider added: ?I am astonished by this. It is not the first time a Culture Secretary has criticised the BBC, but I can?t remember when they last tried to meddle in our editorial policy or disciplinary procedures. After all, our independence is protected by Royal Charter. That seems unprecedented.?

The Mail also said yesterday

"Earlier this month Inverdale, who is thought to be paid about £600,000 a year ..."

Staggering! Taxpayer money.