TOGETHXR Gives Coverage to Women and Mothers in Sport

By: Greta Stuckey

TOGETHXR was founded in March of 2021 and transformed the sports media industry by becoming the first media company to be run by female athletes, for female athletes. In less than one year, TOGETHXR has become a leader of inclusivity in the sports media industry as they amplify the voices of female athletes that often go unheard.

The athlete founders of the company include soccer player Alex Morgan, swimmer Simone Manuel, basketball player Sue Bird, and snowboarder Chloe Kim. As a mother herself, Morgan has been vocal about motherhood and has now created a new media company to cover women and mothers in sports.

“This is going to be something that really breaks barriers,” Morgan said to The New York Times. “Something that creates a community and a platform from female athletes for female athletes that has never been done before.”

Combined, the founders provide representation for black women, Korean-American women, lesbian women, and mothers. TOGETHXR was formed to lift up women in sports and seeks to tell stories of female athletes who are commonly underrepresented by mainstream sports media companies.

“Alex is not just an incredible soccer player but a mom, activist, business person and scholar,” Jessica Robertson,” TOGETHXR’s chief content officer said to The New York Times.

Providing coverage to pregnant athletes, TOGETHXR has completed short video stories for Alex Morgan, Breanna Stewart and Crystal Dunn. The company transcends traditional journalism using merchandise and social media engagement. With a greater focus on technological trends, TOGETHXR engages female audiences who want to know the lives of the athletes they watch.

“When I was growing up, there was nothing like this,” Bird told NBC Sports. “When I think about legacy and what I’m leaving behind, I think this is an amazing way to keep pushing and telling stories and hopefully change the [media coverage] landscape."

The women featured by TOGETHXR, whether pregnant or not, do not face the same discrimination and stereotypes they often face from the mainstream media. When talking about mothers who are also athletes, the conversation is less about how their body looks and more about what their body can do. Too often, male commenters on mainstream sports media outlets comment about a woman's body shape and size versus their ability.

Many female athletes who have children are treated differently from the media while pregnant or after giving birth.Through their documentary-style interviews, TOGETHXR is able to provide fans with a true sense of a person that goes beyond their athleticism. Professional athletes often feel like “larger than life” figures, yet TOGETHXR displays all female athletes as humans first. Female athletes should not feel stigmatized for trying to build a family and life outside of their sport.

Athletes and mothers needed coverage from an organization who understood where they were at in life and the significance of their journey. TOGETHXR provides that coverage for female athletes and lets the world know how powerful female athletes can be. The company celebrates female athletes' highs and lows while providing an honest depiction of the emotional roller coaster that is professional sports.