Breaking Barriers in Sports Journalism

With a background covering major leagues like the NHL’s Boston Bruins and the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, Marisa Ingemi has made a name for herself in sports journalism. However, her most impactful story emerged from a nonprofit roller derby league struggling for existence amid societal challenges.

“This rundown West Oakland building is the physical and spiritual home of Bay Area Derby, aka BAD,” Ingemi stated in her August 2023 article. The league is notable for its diverse representation, with many of its 20-plus skaters identifying as queer, particularly transgender athletes facing exclusion from traditional sports due to emerging legislation.

A Focus on Margins and Niche Stories

Ingemi’s passion lies in unearthing stories less traveled by mainstream sports journalism. She has shifted her focus from men’s professional sports to cover women’s athletics and queer narratives, gaining accolades such as the 2024 Excellence in Sports Writing award from the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. Furthermore, she was a finalist for the inaugural Billie Jean King Award for Excellence in Women’s Sports Coverage, recognizing her innovative contributions.

“Sometimes people get into sports journalism because they love sports, then they fall in love with the journalism. That’s definitely what happened with me,” Ingemi remarked.

The Growth of Women’s Sports

The visibility of women’s sports is increasing, as evidenced by significant viewership for events such as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which attracted two billion viewers, and the NCAA Women’s Basketball championship, which outperformed the men’s final in viewership. According to a report by Wasserman and ESPN Research, women’s sports media coverage rose to 16% in 2022, a noteworthy 300% increase since 2019.

Support from the San Francisco Chronicle

Since joining the San Francisco Chronicle in 2022, Ingemi has benefited from a newsroom committed to enhancing women’s sports coverage. She is one of the few beat writers traveling for away games, providing crucial insights into teams like the Golden State Valkyries, who began playing in 2025.

“I love seeing people who have wanted a WNBA team for 20 years,” she commented, underscoring the ongoing desire for representation in sports.

Navigating Social Issues in Sports

Ingemi highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and social issues. The participation of transgender women in sports has stirred significant controversy, especially following pledges from political figures to ban them from women’s categories, culminating in various legal challenges and policy updates from the NCAA in early 2025.

During a critical period from late 2024 into 2025, Ingemi focused intensively on the San Jose State University volleyball team’s controversies, producing over 20 articles and receiving recognition as the 2024 National Sports Media Association’s co-sportswriter of the year for California.

Rekindling the Love for Sports Journalism

Although Ingemi initially grappled with separating her personal passion for sports from her professional work, her dedication to covering women’s sports has revitalized her enthusiasm for journalism. “It’s just so different seeing something grow like this,” she expressed, comparing the current landscape of women’s sports to early baseball, which was a groundbreaking phenomenon in its time.

“We’re seeing something that people love and that they’re getting access to for the first time,” she concluded, emphasizing the transformative power of sports for marginalized communities.