The more things change...

...well you know the rest of that cliche--one that I found to be very appropriate yesterday when I was casually reading the sport section of the Chicago paper (I don't remember which one however) while waiting for lunch at my favorite downtown wrap establishment. With March Madness upon us (it even got a reference in last night's episode of ER!) I expect I will hear--as I do every year--about the increasing depth of the women's game. And a hearty Rah! Rah! Rah! to that. This year it seems any one of the number 1 or 2 seeds could take the whole thing--though it seems fewer upsets are likely (I may be eating those words after this weekend of course which I would be more than happy to do). But back to Chicago--or rather their sport section--the growing depth and popularity (marked by--if nothing else--the cost of a first round ticket $60!) does not seem to translate into better media coverage--or print coverage since that was the medium I observed yesterday. The paper had 5 pages on the NCAA Tournament (the heading at the top of each page); they included the bracket (which at least said Men's Bracket) but all of the stories were about the men's tournament. I realize that yesterday kicked off the men's tournament with the women's not starting until tomorrow but there was nary a mention of the women's tournament. With the heading--NCAA Tournament--so boldly displayed every time one turned the page the impression that one got was that this was the only game in town worth mentioning--at length. I suppose in all fairness I should check out today or tomorrow's Chicago paper (if I can figure out which one it was) to see if they give the women similar treatment. Of course given that the men's tournament has already started there is no way there will be exclusive coverage (5 pages worth) of the women's tournament. I guess that's what happens when you're always playing second fiddle.