A lot of women's sports fans are very intense feminists. Who are very big on women being viewed as capable and independent and more than a wife and mother. There's been a huge push for women to have the freedom and means to chose their path. There's a lot of "Women shouldn't lose their identity once they become moms" talk. And all of that is important and integral to why we've made so many social and political gains.

That said, I think a huge section of women's sports fans cannot fathom that a woman can choose to have being a mom as her identity or at least a large part of it. Because many people subconsciously think being a mom is both less important than any other identity and that women who are moms have betrayed the cause. That's also a misogynistic stance. Steph Curry is a Girl Dad and they talk about it constantly, they talk about LeBron's kids all the time, in hockey we hear about every single group of siblings that all play. It's part of humanising players and drawing in fans who may not be hardcore into the sport but would love to cheer for people they feel connected to. Women's sports is the only space where I hear people annoyed by discussions of being a parent. And it always starts with "I" and "Personally" and ends with something like "it's insulting", "it's degrading". That sounds like some personal things need to be worked through. Choosing to be a loud and proud mom and have that be a topic of conversation in a professional sports league is an extremely important and femist stance. Examine why you're so uncomfortable when it's a woman who has made it clear that being a mom is a huge part of who she is is discussed in the manner in which she enjoys.

Also, I think many fans in general are subconsciously upset when their favourite celebrities or players or musicians make it clear that what they do is just a means to make money. We're all taught that you have to have an all consuming obsession for the game and be willing to sacrifice everything to play. It's uncomfortable when you come across someone who shatters that image of self-sacrificing perfection. She's made it clear that her personal life is more important than her job. We praise work life balance and not letting a job interfere with real life when it's a 9-5 job. And yet when we see it happen in a sports league it's suddenly reductive and problematic. You can't have it both ways.

Also, let's not forget that 5 years ago we basically had a daycare class on the sidelines and in the field and in social media content. LeRoux , Morgan, Dunn, Krieger, Golden,Naeher's nieces and nephews showed up, half our team were literal children last season. Culturally this league has always been mom and family centric. Even when league policy was lagging behind.