A day after marking Title IX’s 50th anniversary. American sports and society are facing significant questions. After a landmark shift concerning one of America’s most contentious issues.

As America marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX being signed into law this week. A rule that significantly altered the landscape of women’s sports. Today’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) overturning Roe v. Wade presents a unique situation for women’s sports. Today’s ruling could mark the biggest shift for women’s sports since Title IX. With abortion now effectively illegal or significantly restricted in several states.

Today’s SCOTUS ruling could have a significant impact on college sports. A state’s abortion law could suddenly become a recruiting factor. This could lead to female athletes transferring from schools in states where abortion would be criminalized. Or not even consider attending schools in states where abortion is banned. Presenting a unique challenge for some of women’s college basketball’s best programs.

Including Louisville, since Kentucky is a state where abortion is now illegal. Along with Tennessee, where according to POLITICO, abortion is set to become illegal 30 days from now. Today’s ruling could affect an athlete’s ability to both stay in school and the sports they play. While some college athletes are able to make money through endorsements. Some don’t have the financial means to care for a child.

Professional sports might not be as affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Though it along with all businesses are affected in some way. While female professional athletes make little compared to their male counterparts. According to NPR, the average NBA player makes 44 times more than the average WNBA player. If a professional athlete wants to get an abortion; some still have the financial means to do so.

In recent years, issues surrounding women and the workplace have come more into the foreground. From combatting harassment to expanding paid parental leave and options to work from home. The impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on women in the workplace is keeping this issue in the foreground. With many mothers leaving the workforce since the pandemic began. The overturning of Roe v. Wade confronts businesses and society. With questions that will make some uncomfortable to address. That whether we like it or not will be brought up in the coming weeks.

After a draft opinion of today’s decision leaked last month. Americans on both sides of the abortion debate can’t feign shock over today’s ruling. Now that the ruling is in, regardless of one’s views on abortion. Hopefully we can shift to a less tense debate on what happens next. How do we improve the conditions in which a mother brings a child into the world?

Since the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that previously legalized abortion federally. America’s “pro-life” and “pro-choice” politicians focused on a legal debate. While some politicians engaged in a half-century of virtue signaling. Passing laws that were mostly toothless until today. Viewing the Supreme Court like a bizarre game of chess. Instead of focusing on ways America can improve conditions for mothers. To the point where an expecting mother wouldn’t even consider having an abortion.

While America often seems deeply polarized by the abortion debate. I think we can have a civil conversation on ways to improve life for moms. Which is probably why this issue doesn’t hold the place it should in American life. Instead, every time abortion comes up, it’s as if the national volume gets cranked to the max. While leaving many Americans including me feeling like we’re stuck in mud.

Due to the toxic effect abortion has had on American politics over the last half century. After facing a wave of activism from athletes in the last six years. Enduring criticism on how leagues responded to protests from conservatives, liberals and moderates. Plus, facing the ongoing financial tumult brought on by the pandemic. It’s understandable that sports teams and leagues are eager to stay out of the abortion debate.

While many sports personalities are reacting to today’s ruling. Many organizations will likely strive to stay out of the fray. Reactions might depend on the sport, league or region a team is based in. There’s no monetary benefit to be gained for taking a side in this. Doing so would more likely outrage sizable and very vocal parts of the population.

It’s a tall task to view sports teams and leagues as model organizations on many things. Especially when it comes to fostering great workplace environments for women. The NFL is in many respects a national embarrassment on this issue. Given it’s handling the Washington Commanders. Whom face accusations of fostering a toxic workplace culture for women, prompting a congressional investigation.

The Cincinnati Reds don’t have toxic workplace allegations swirling around them. Though after shedding player payroll over the last several months. While kicking themselves in the face on and off of the field. It would not shock me if the Reds health plan only covered an aspirin and an ice pack. What steps will they and others take to improve conditions for their female employees?

That’s one of many questions sprouting from today’s decision. Will we see a wave of companies announcing plans to extend paid family leave? What will private healthcare cover when it comes to maternal health? Will states expand their support for programs striving to help impoverished people? These and many other questions are on the table now. For public and private institutions of all kinds to answer. Like it or not, sports organizations will have to answer some of these questions too.