[This is the third of three articles I wrote regarding Oxygen’s reality show on the LFL, Pretty.Strong. For the first installment in the series, read here.]

With so much actual sports news to talk about, it seems like a waste to put out yet another article on bikini football. But the Pretty.Strong. reviews are in…and the feedback the LFL doesn’t want you to see deserves to be documented somewhere. So let’s revisit this topic one more time before moving on to actual sports.

The Pretty Weak Ratings for Pretty.Strong.

I’ve had a few people ask why I’ve been somewhat quiet on the Pretty.Strong. front lately after loudly taking the LFL to task a few weeks back. First and foremost, I have a project I’ve been working on that I hope to announce in the next three to four weeks that has sucked up a lot of my time…can’t wait to share that one with you.

Just as importantly, while I certainly sympathized with those who sought to boycott the show, I never planned to spearhead such a movement. As far as I’m concerned, that whole league is a reality show. The LFL is theater, not sports…and my primary complaint about the league is that it tries to suggest it’s a sports enterprise when it’s anything but (or butt, if you please).

I didn’t start the petition to boycott the show because I knew that it would be doomed to failure – Oxygen wasn’t going to pull Pretty.Strong. from the airwaves when it had already spent the money to produce it. That’s a sunk cost to them, and a petition – even a popular one – wouldn’t likely change their minds. The problem is that the people signing the petition didn’t commit to doing anything beyond that. Now, if the petition had, say, listed Oxygen’s ten biggest corporate sponsors, and if it had asked signees to publicly boycott those sponsors in protest of the show, then over 1,000 people signing it would have made Oxygen at least think about how committed they were to supporting Pretty.Strong.

But the petition didn’t do that, so the only downside to Oxygen is that the petition proves their show is “controversial”. And frankly, nothing boosts ratings like controversy, so the LFL reality show could probably use all the controversy it can get right about now. The last thing I wanted to do was let my vocal criticism of the LFL somehow provide a boost to Pretty.Strong.‘s flagging ratings.

While I didn’t start the petition myself, once it was out there, a choice had to be made. I could let it die with fifty or so signatures, or I could get out there and ask people to sign it. If the petition had died with only a few signatories, it would create an opportunity for Mitch Mortaza, weasel extraordinaire, to assert that it was only a handful of a few dozen feminist radicals who opposed his “hit” TV show. He would be able to portray the opposition to the LFL as a small, loud minority of folks who just have it in for pretty, strong women.

So I lobbied people to read up on things and consider signing it. The petition generated well over 1,000 signatures in little over a week, and that’s a number that even Mortaza can’t dismiss (well, he probably will, but it will come off as delusional as most of the things he says). Getting over one thousand people to publicly attach their names to the petition proves that there are a lot of folks out there who are appalled by this. Shoot, that’s more people than Omaha draws for home games.

The main reason I haven’t led a boycott against Pretty.Strong., however, is because viewers are boycotting it on their own. The show has been a ratings bomb…even for Oxygen, which had to have pretty low ratings expectations to begin with.

There’s a great ratings site called ShowBuzzDaily that tracks the ratings for most shows. They put out daily lists of the top 100 rated original shows that aired on cable each day. So out of all the original programs that aired on cable on a given day (not TBS’ endless Big Bang Theory reruns, for example), they list the 100 shows that generated the highest ratings.

Pretty.Strong. debuted on Oxygen on October 6, and the premiere episode was the 86th most watched original program on cable that day. It drew a rating of 0.12/227, which, loosely translated, means that 227,000 TV sets were tuned into that episode and that it attracted 0.12 percent (not 12 percent, 12 hundredths of a percent) of viewers aged 18-49 who were watching television at the time.

That’s not bad, but it’s not great either. The bigger problem for Oxygen, however, is that since the October 6 premiere, ratings have declined dramatically. Pretty.Strong. hasn’t sniffed the top 100 in any episode since, finishing outside of the top 100 among daily cable originals each of the past five weeks. For instance, two weeks ago on November 3, Pretty.Strong. drew a paltry 0.07/127, confirming that the show has lost nearly half its audience since the premiere.

By contrast, Bad Girls Club, which is a relative “hit show” for Oxygen (despite the fact that I had never heard of that show in my life…then again, I’m probably not Oxygen’s target demographic), ranked 13th among cable originals that day, drawing a 0.41/838 rating.

Naturally, the LFL is running around calling Pretty.Strong. a hit show!!!!!1!11!! But the reality behind the LFL’s reality show is that men aren’t interested in watching a Kardashians knockoff on the Oxygen network, and women…well, women are pretty much straight up appalled.

[Edited to add: The LFL’s reality show mercifully ended on November 24 to some of the lowest ratings of the year. ShowBuzzDaily recently expanded their daily lists to cover the top 150 rated original shows that aired on cable each day (up from just listing the top 100). Despite the expansion, the series finale of Pretty.Strong. on November 24 failed to chart in the top 150 of cable original programs for that single day. Moreover, in a (since removed) comment, the site revealed the finale of Pretty.Strong. drew a 0.03/71 rating, losing 75 percent of its audience since its debut and half of its audience from midseason. The plummeting ratings proved to be a disaster for Oxygen and the show’s executive producer, Ellen Rakieten. No worries, though…Rakieten can get back to rattling off guarantees about which guys won’t be having sex.]

Heads In the Sand

But forget the ratings…even if the show was pulling solid numbers (and it wasn’t), it’s clear that Pretty.Strong. was severely damaging Oxygen’s brand. The network that was once seen as a home for uplifting stories about women is now selling blatant sexism and calling it empowerment. And women aren’t buying it.

The outrage was pretty strong (heh) on the show’s Facebook page, a page I frequented. I think calling the reaction to the show “mixed” would be kind…it seemed pretty solidly negative, to be honest. The feedback was so negative that the show was forced to sanitize its page, banning anyone who offered any criticism of the LFL and removing their comments from the page.

Obviously, I was one of the first ones swept up in the ban. I don’t really care, honestly…the word about the LFL is out, even if the league tries to ignore it (and ignoring it seems to be their game plan). However, I want to make it clear that my only offense was arguing too convincingly and too compellingly that the LFL is tantamount to abuse of female athletes. I didn’t get banned because I lost my head and unleashed a torrent of profanities or anything. Those who know me personally know that goes without saying, but for those who only know me through my writing, rest assured that my only crime is articulating an opposing viewpoint far too well.

The thing that made me laugh, however, is that Oxygen then put up a poll asking viewers, “Are LFL uniforms sexist or empowering?” First of all, that’s a biased question – my main complaint is not that the uniforms are either empowering or sexist but that they’re unsafe, so the question is loaded from the start.

But more importantly, why ask fans if the uniforms are sexist or empowering and then ban anyone who thinks they’re sexist? Why even pretend you’re having a real discussion at that point? It’s clear that Oxygen has resorted to promoting its show by conducting polls with all the validity of a presidential election in North Korea. (Hey, Mitch…that’s how you draw a comparison toward North Korea that’s actually analogous. You’re welcome.)

A Sample of Pretty.Strong. Reviews

Oxygen, Pretty.Strong., and the folks at the LFL home office did their darndest to delete every single negative Facebook comment they could from their site. Unfortunately for them, I cataloged many of them before they were deleted, because I’m a clever monkey.

Here are just a few of the Facebook posts that were made about Pretty.Strong. before the censors stepped in. I’ve edited them for grammar, and since these posts were made publicly on Facebook, I’m including the names of the folks who made them as well. Many of these posts attracted hundreds and, in a couple cases, over 1,000 likes…I’ve listed the number of likes these posts received as well.

Rest assured, not all of these comments – or the hundreds and hundreds of people liking them – are from a small minority of traditional women’s football players or radical feminists, as the LFL and Oxygen would have you believe. Consider these comments to be the true reviews of Pretty.Strong., the reviews Oxygen and the LFL don’t want you to see. Enjoy the show.

Let’s start with a simple, excellent question.

Justine Tucker: Why do they have to wear bikinis when they play? [73 likes]

Same question with a bit of profanity for effect.

Kendra Peters: Why is it that they can’t be bold, beautiful, and strong, AND leave their f–king clothes on…good God. [8 likes]

Same question in all caps. And yes, they would.

Emily Brooke Baggett: WHY ARE THEY HALF-NAKED?? I get the meaning behind “strong and powerful”, but they’d be just as tough with clothes and protective gear on! [5 likes]

So many questions, still no answers.

Liz Robertson: Why do they have to be in underwear? Why is everything women do sexualized? Why are you calling these women “pretty strong”? Why can’t they just be strong? This is degrading to women all around the world. [11 likes]

So is everyone else.

Stacey Lynn Harrell: I’m still waiting for someone to tell me why these ladies are playing in their underwear. And must everything concerning women be turned into caddy nonsense? [16 likes]

571 people pegged the answer. Because…sexism.

Leah Giordano: This ad is trying SO HARD to say, “Look how beautiful and powerful these women are!” Unfortunately, even if that’s true, it’s completely distorted by the fact that they’re objectifying themselves by wearing bikinis during a full-contact sport because well…sexism. [571 likes]

Leah isn’t the only one to recognize that LFL players’ semi-nudity pretty much negates all their positive attributes.

Jepper Kruger: You see, when you sexualize yourselves you delegitimize the other amazing things you’re doing. You just cancel it all out. Just stop acting like you need to be 3/4 naked in order to get signed for anything. [7 likes]

One step forward, two steps back.

Haley Wilcox: Any credibility or talent these women have is overshadowed by the fact that they are sexualizing the game by wearing so little. I saw one of these games on TV the other day, and I thought it was sad and embarrassing that this is the standard for women to be able to play football.

Or ten.

Gwen Miller: And 10 steps back for women. [33 likes]

Maybe the show is called Pretty.Strong. because The Lego Movie already had the rights to the title, Where Are My Pants?

Jessica Sitton Meekins: If this was really about football and being a strong, empowered woman, they would be wearing…pants. At minimum. [5 likes]

PANTS!

Desirae Helene: I understand you’re trying to show that you too are strong, independent, have a life, can be bada–, etc. But I wish you would wear more clothes like the guys do. It’s kinda degrading to see that. Just because you’re women, you’re dressed indecently. Please just put more clothes on. Put protective clothes on yourself at the very least. Pants, ladies. PANTS! [764 likes]

Britney’s last line earns her a gold star.

Britney Bearden Armer: So why is no one wearing pants? We want to act like these are such tough women going against the grain and being strong, but they’re supporting the over-sexualization of women in a “man’s sport” and I’m not okay with that. Be a feminist and go against the gender norms, but for the love. Put some dang pants on and put some respect points back on the board. [15 likes]

Britney was far from the only one to point out the obvious fallacy of calling lingerie football players bold, strong, and powerful.

Carol Kay Terry: Wow. So you’re saying, “Oh, look how strong I am” by playing almost naked? No, you’re sexualizing yourself and embarrassing women all around the world. If you want to be taken seriously and not laughed at, put some clothes on like the men wear and grow up. [87 likes]

Mandi Stokes: HOW does this encourage people to think of us as strong athletes?! It makes us look like a joke. [15 likes]

Ivania Marin: You had me at “bold and strong,” but then I saw that they’re all in their underwear…and you lost me. So stupid. [7 likes]

Muthoni Ndungu: What does being naked have to do with prettiness and strength? Doesn’t look like football to me, more like women parading their bodies. [4 likes]

Siomara Yogini: There’s no power here…They still have to be half-naked! When will we [women] stop selling ourselves like a piece of meat? [2 likes]

Ashley Ferrero: Bold and strong? Then why are they dressed like sex objects during games? [3 likes]

Ashley Bittner Pagett: I agree with the majority. Way to be “strong and beautiful” by walking around in your panties so men can continue to sexualize women!

Rebecca with perhaps the best punchline of the day. Well played.

Rebecca Jean: Can we stop with this bulls–t please? It’s degrading to all women. Pretty strong, my a–. Which is covered when I play sports, by the way. [2 likes]

In maybe my favorite comment, Samantha provides an absolutely perfect summation of why lingerie football is neither pretty nor strong. Spot on, Samantha!!

Samantha Paradis: If you were pretty and strong, you’d be fighting the system and refusing to showcase your mostly-naked body under the pretense of athletic ability. You want to be strong? Let people watch you run that football. If you’re wearing your underwear, all they’re seeing is your a– jiggle. They’re objectifying you, and you’re boasting about how strong it makes you. Fight back.

And make no mistake…they ARE objectifying you.

Nikki Keane: The uniform is a disgrace to all women out there. Way to objectify women into something else for men to look at! SMH [181 likes]

I guess so…kind of like Superman (hi, Dean Cain!) and Kryptonite.

Amanda Robbins-Christesen: Great!!! You’re strong and should be proud…Do you lose your strength when you put your clothes on?

Apparently at least 1,012 people are.

Madeline Rose: Anybody else offended that they can’t play football in football uniforms? Anybody? [1,012 likes]

Short and to the point.

Madeline Rose: Strong…but always still sexualized. [373 likes]

Valerie Kay Marlin: This is a joke. [13 likes]

Cathy Sauble Allmand: Another way to make it about sex. Stupid bulls–t. [20 likes]

Claira Jones: Where’s the rest of her uniform? WTF [5 likes]

Jenelle Ann: LMAO…What a joke. [4 likes]

An open letter to Oxygen. I’m a man and I’d sign it, too.

Kate Blanchette: Dear Oxygen Network,

Please rethink putting this show on television. We can still be strong and pretty while wearing clothing.

Sincerely,
Women [8 likes]

From a pure football perspective, it all seems pretty simple, right?

Nicole Ruthenbeck: The uniforms designed for football are in the best interest of the safety of the players. Overly-exposed skin would not allow for peak performances. Therefore, these overly-sexualized “uniforms” are a joke. [226 likes]

Allison is married to a militant feminist, apparently.

Allison Bolomey: For all the women who think that only jealous women are against this, I just want to throw out there that my husband’s immediate reaction was, “So are they going to start requiring NFL players to wear Speedos? Why can’t they be serious football players with their clothes on?” [529 likes]

Yeah, I’m pretty sure men would never agree to any of this. But it’s not sexism, of course…couldn’t be.

Ali Lee: Where’s my football team of naked men? SMH…This is disgusting. These naked females are doing NOTHING for genuinely “bold, beautiful, and strong women”! [44 likes]

Tawnya Jesswani: I appreciate that women are playing football, but even though they’re looking hot, it doesn’t mean they need to play in bikinis/underwear. I’m pretty sure NFL players wouldn’t want Speedos as their uniform, so don’t demean yourselves, ladies. It’s a women’s world, too. [22 likes]

Britt Renae Brantley: It’s really refreshing to see people recognize the main problem with this. Why do women playing football have to be practically naked, but men are fully-clothed for protection? It’s pathetic, and I hope the “uniforms” change; otherwise, I hope the show gets cancelled. [32 likes]

Women playing a sport under the same conditions as men? Stop it, Heidi…that’s crazy talk!

Heidi Vega: In rugby, women have the same rules as men, and no pads or helmets. Out there tackling each other, working hard for 80 minutes with clothes on, and it’s entertaining! Why they got to be half-naked? I hate it, it diminishes the game. I would be a fan if they weren’t wearing underwear as their uniform. [18 likes]

These rugby fans do seem to get it.

Amy Northcutt: Time for everyone to go watch some women’s rugby. This is ridiculous. [34 likes]

Gabbie Briggs: I played high school football and rugby, didn’t run around half-naked, wore proper uniforms, and played because I loved the sport, not to make a statement or prove anything. I’m sorry, but this is just dumb and gives real female football players a bad name. [25 likes]

Sexism dressed as empowerment, but most women can tell the difference.

Rebecca Grace Ewing: Boooooo! Down with this sexist crap! Stop making women into sex objects and calling it empowerment! I hope this gets cut off the air! [41 likes]

Scarlett…yes!

Scarlett Greenstein: Wow! Come on, get some real football gear on. You might be taken more seriously as athletes. Strong…Yes. Beautiful…Yes. Sexism…YES!!!

What…you’re not buying that “empowerment” line, either?

Whit Kirtley: Yes ladies, you can be pretty and strong. Unfortunately, no one will care unless you are prancing around in your underwear. Way to empower women, Oxygen. [107 likes]

Anna Greene: Having bikini-clad women wrestle each other and tell people it’s empowering. That’s not a real women’s football league. [19 likes]

And that’s probably what’s most frustrating…Oxygen was so close to finding the concept of a truly empowering show. We’re out here, Rachel!

Rachel Martin: If they actually wore uniforms and not stupid lingerie stripper gear, this would actually be badazz and super empowering. [4 likes]

You guessed correctly. Correct guesses are how you get 1,105 likes.

Hope Kordalski: Why are they not wearing clothes to protect their bodies? I am guessing a man designed this show. [1,105 likes]

Mitch Mortaza is starting to rival Voldemort in the “He Who Must Not Be Named” department, because the LFL is all about the women, amirite? Well, Andrea’s not fooled…she knows who’s in charge here.

Andrea Michelle Brooks: This motivates me to better the opportunities for girls in a very naked and narrowly-defined world. One filled with so few trailblazers amongst others who are willing to conform to “this is how the world is”.

There’s nothing wrong with women wearing what they want. But let’s be clear here: this is not a women-owned business with women making these decisions. Mitch Mortaza is the CEO and this began as the lingerie league. The uniforms are looked at as a necessary evil to satisfy a bottom line. What message does this send? There are so many female athletes doing their thing and who already have to defend their womanhood, and then you have a whole league based off the premise of true “fantasy football.”

Our dreams as women are not to be trivialized as being only as valuable as our bodies. We should not need asterisks and exceptions to our desire to play sports. F–k money. This is about the future. And a better future is built by grown women honoring the dreams they had as little girls, not the world forcing them to be any different. [7 likes]

No such thing as a “large but still capable” athlete, Remy. Not as far as the LFL is concerned.

Remy Rose: Sorry, but I’ll take it seriously – costumes [because they aren’t appropriate uniforms] or not – when they recognize, especially in a sport like football, not all the athletes are beach bunny models. Yes, these women are strong, smart, and beautiful…but come on, you are out there getting hurt, on display for misogynistic media, not getting paid, and the fact that the sport – which for men has some large but still capable athletes – is only open to models who can wear the bikini, and you’re saying this isn’t a T&A event? Own the reality with pride, but don’t let media pi– on you and tell you it’s raining.

Calling a spade a spade is not exactly LFL policy, either.

Denise Morrison: I don’t get this AT ALL. They act like it’s all about showcasing strong women playing a tough sport, but come on, really, let’s call a spade a spade…this is about, “Oh, look at how hot women are when they run around half-naked jumping onto each other.” I’m all about sexuality and being free to be sexy as a woman, but COME ON, seriously? Tails on their barely-covered rear ends? This is a joke, not a sport! [3 likes]

A radical thought. Mitch Mortaza and Rod Aissa obviously don’t agree.

Amanda Johnston: Hmm…I think women with clothes on are beautiful and strong. [26 likes]

Can we put Aleksa here in charge of Oxygen programming? That’d be an awesome show and well worth watching!

Aleksa Klimas-Mikalauskas: Am I the only one who was kinda hoping this would be a show that highlighted women who kick a– in all different sports? I don’t know about you, but I’d be way more interested in seeing the level and amount of training that’s needed to make it onto an Olympic team. I mean, that’s real drama…basically giving up everything for the chance to represent your nation in a sport. Doesn’t that have a little more substance than girls wearing lingerie? [2 likes]

LFL fans? Rooting for a wardrobe malfunction? Say it ain’t so!

Rocio Aguilera Kotus: Someone needs to tell these women to cover up. The only reason why men watch is in hopes that something slips out. I’ve played rugby for years and always was clothed! [19 likes]

Ashley Brooke Neal: I’m glad to know there are other women out there that this bothers. Their uniforms are not going to stay in place…it’s just for men so they can stare close at the TV and wait for something to fall out of place! And how can you play football in that much makeup or with your hair fixed? It eats me alive! Again, be strong with more clothes on. What they are doing is dangerous without clothes. But I guess it’s just like wrestling in mud to men…they will enjoy this. Barf! Where did the modesty go in this world? [5 likes]

Who sponsored these uniforms, anyway? Playboy…

Megan Nicole Adkins: When you are trying to make a statement about being a strong, beautiful, independent, athletic woman, it completely destroys the message when you agree to go out on the field dressed like a Playboy bunny. [22 likes]

Or Hooters?

Mackenzie Dunn: I really love the “strong is the new sexy” movement. That’s why it’s so disappointing that these women’s “uniforms” make it abundantly clear the show isn’t seeking the audience that wants to see strong women doing amazing things. It’s seeking the audience that wants to ogle and objectify women, just like always. With clothes, and/or women with varied body types, this could have been a revolutionary show. Instead, it’s more like football-themed Hooters, which is a damn shame…especially for the women who work their butts off for their sport. [8 likes]

On a truly serious note…this is one of my biggest issues with Pretty.Strong. There are girls out there who would love to play football growing up, but their only avenue for doing so is to suit up with the boys. Throw a girl in the middle of a group of macho, male, high school football players…I don’t care how welcoming an environment you try to make it for her, a young girl has to be awfully mentally tough to go down that road. Throw in the fact that these young people – football or not – are already dealing with body issues, and middle school/high school girl football players have my extreme admiration. I just can’t imagine how they do it.

Then they see Pretty.Strong., and it sends a clear message about what some men consider their worth. Sure, you can play football…if you look like Barbie and play half-naked!

Nikki Hale Cooper: Here is my daughter, a real football player. She has played for years and fought to get respect from her peers. I pray she or her teammates never see this show! If you want to be taken seriously in a male-dominated sport, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON. Give some of the girls who fight to be taken seriously a chance! [4 likes]

I agree, Carol…we can set a better example than this.

Carol Parker: Football is a dangerous and physical sport…why are they running around in underwear? They should be fully-clothed in protective gear like the men who play the sport. Stop portraying women as sex objects…let’s set an example for the young girls who see this crap on TV! [5 likes]

Monique isn’t buying lingerie football players as role models, either.

Monique Metzger: Role models? Because they’re women in their underwear? Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of that going around. [7 likes]

The overwhelming verdict from these viewers is that real, traditional women’s football deserves respect. Lingerie football, not so much.

Becca Seylar: I’ll take this seriously when they start wearing actual clothes that protect them from the sport. Until then… [492 likes]

Vanessa Rodriguez: I would have more respect and appreciate your strength more as a woman if you weren’t half-naked. Just another way for men to objectivity us. I admire your skill and strength. However, the way it’s presented is disappointing. [260 likes]

Rai Lee: Yes, we are strong, tough, and can do what men do, but what the hell, we can do it better with clothes on! [120 likes]

Katherine E. Harley: Put some clothes on and I may watch. This show was more for men to watch women in skimpy clothes play football. I’ll pass. [21 likes]

Anastasia Daniels: This is awful!!! Can we be strong and not objectify women at the same time? There are women who play football with clothes on! I think they are strong. [4 likes]

Kayla Gage: Women can be beautiful and powerful playing a man’s sport in actual football gear. Not a skimpy swimsuit. [2 likes]

Same theme, with bonus points for making me think of Big Hero 6.

Mallory Rose Haynes: Woman up…stop sexualizing women. Put some proper uniforms on these women, and you will have my respect. Until then, you disgust me. [5 likes]

This comment wins the best use of hashtags award of the day. And the last one is particularly true…although it doesn’t seem to be working for Oxygen.

Kari Solberg: Came to comment and I’m glad I’m not the only one that is bothered by their game attire. I’d most likely follow and be a big fan if this show was really focused on strong, confident women. As it stands, this one’s about #sexsells #toomuchskin #sexism #bodyissues #anythingforbetterratings.

Speaking of anything for better ratings…

Meg Mooney: Strong women don’t need to be subjugated to dressing like this to get viewers. If you are applauding their strength, put them in normal athletic gear so that their strength can be applauded and not their assets. [1 like]

Tiana Marie: Yay! More female objectification! Because of course they need to play half-naked. Congrats on putting more smut on TV. [8 likes]

Let’s hope your first sentence is correct, Emma.

Emma Amelia Pottios: This show won’t have a second season. Put some clothes on those women and maybe people will actually respect them.

It’s truly stunning that Oxygen actually thought WOMEN would support the objectification of their own by embracing a show about lingerie football. It shows how ridiculously out-of-touch they are, and yes, they should be embarrassed.

Leah N Stephen: The fact that this is on Oxygen proves the soon-demise of this show. Women do. not. want. to see their kind being proudly disgraced and objectified. There are some awe-strikingly strong women out there…who are true athletes…who, wow, yes, are beautiful…and who wear CLOTHES. Oxygen should be embarrassed for letting this on their “women’s network”. [5 likes]

One Last Word on the LFL

The LFL has announced it is expanding to eight teams for the 2016 season, adding teams in Dallas, Houston, and New England (New Hampshire, to be specific). It is also folding the Las Vegas franchise, as expected…Las Vegas “operated out of Los Angeles” last season, the league’s way of manufacturing the minimum six teams it needed to operate despite the fact that they only had arenas in five markets.

The three new LFL franchises have been met with enthusiasm, which isn’t surprising. Still, history suggests that LFL franchises last an average of seven games before folding, so we’ll see how long each of these are around. The LFL’s game plan going forward is simple: keep their three longest-running franchises operating (Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle) and surround them with just enough competition to round out a six to ten team league. And then try to get fools like Oxygen and Fuse to trumpet their propaganda, as they advance the losing argument that is lingerie football.

There was one last comment that was swept up in Pretty.Strong.’s great Facebook purge, and it may have the most impact of any of them. Latasha Richardson, a former LFL player, bravely addressed a number of LFL supporters to give her thoughts on the league. I say bravely, because it’s well-known how former LFL players who have shared criticism of the league have been dealt with in the past. It takes a lot of courage for former LFL players to speak out and take a stand against the exploitation of women.

So take a look at what Latasha Richardson had to say to the supporters of Pretty.Strong. and the LFL. I’ll let that be the last word. You’re pretty strong to me, Latasha.

Latasha Richardson: I played for the league, and the outfits I didn’t particularly care for. If you got hit hard or fell hard, the uniforms that we wore did not protect us. There’s so much more controversy behind this league that you people don’t know about. I’ll bet you if y’all knew you have to be “pretty” in order to play, some of you women wouldn’t be saying all this.

I hate when I see women say it’s no different than wearing a track or volleyball uniform. Well, it is, because neither of those sports are extreme physical contact sports where you need more gear on to protect. The only protection was the helmet and the thin a– shoulder pads.

Now, because I played for this league, these women do work hard…but there are criteria that you must meet in order to play, and three out of four of them have nothing to do with the sport. This is not hate, simply truth, because I know the behind-the-scenes issues most viewers don’t.

There are leagues for women that I currently also play in where women of all shapes and sizes play. It is full tackle and we wear the very same equipment that the men do, which is much harder to play in than those semi-bikini uniforms that the LFL uses. Those are the women that should be featured.

The LFL uniforms were designed to pull men in, because there wasn’t going to be a way to get people to watch women play football if they were wearing all the clothing. Mission accomplished, but do your research about what goes on behind the scenes, what you don’t see: from what you have to look like, to facial appearance, to what size you have to be in order to play…all the way to the fraudulent situations that have happened in the past.

I don’t bash these women; I bash what the league promotes. Trust me, it’s not a good picture or a good thing to hear as a woman. Just saying.