Super Bowl reporter wears two-piece set, turning heads. Then a North Carolina reporter weighs in: ‘Are the professional outfits in the room with us?’
Apparently, the Super Bowl wasn’t just a battle of teams this year; it was a full-blown fashion cage match. It was enough when one reporter’s two-piece set had the internet clutching its pearls. But now, a North Carolina sports reporter poured gasoline on the drama by popping into the discourse.
What followed was a mix of journalism and a Real Housewives reunion. Why? She even dragged out her own past game-day looks like evidence in a court case, only for her comments section to immediately put her on trial instead.
On the New Episode of What Not to Wear
Suddenly, everyone is a fashionista. Especially TikTok viewers. Kasey’s (@kasey_funderburg) viral clip proves it through and through. Accumulating 1.6 million views in less than a day, her four-minute dissection of sports reporter attire has everyone throwing in their two cents.
She begins the clip by saying she might as well join the conversation on what’s appropriate clothing to wear and what’s not. “And yes, I’m referring to that little two-piece set,” she says. The outfit in question was a grey blazer-and-shorts set worn by Janerika Owens, an independent sports journalist, during the Super Bowl.
“That little grey two-piece set that never should’ve seen the light of day at a work event,” continues Kasey.
She makes a clear distinction between internet clout and “actually getting respected in the industry.” Kasey says viewers have to approach aspiring reporters as if they are influencers, especially if they don’t work with “credible outlets.” Therefore, Kasey advises aspiring sports reporters to choose carefully whom to admire and emulate. “It kinda just blows my mind how like anybody can get a credential to anything these days.”
@kasey_funderburg Let’s keep it, professional and cute #sportsreporter #womeninsports #superbowl ♬ original sound – kasey funderburg
Kasey Shows Her Own Outfits as a Guide
The majority of the video then focuses on what attire is appropriate to wear to sports, even as a journalist. She says that as sports reporters, they can “get away” with a lot since they’re more likely to participate in outside events. Kasey then pulls up multiple images of previous outfits she has worn and overlays them into her video.
Her first photo is a sleeveless vest and grey shorts paired with boots. She offhandedly comments that the shorts could have been longer. She also explains that she had a black camisole underneath the vest for more coverage. She calls it cute, fun, and professional.
The rest of the photos follow the same explanation format. There are multiple shorts and skorts combos that she calls cute. There are also some formal dresses, longer skirts, and jumpsuits. She calls a couple of outfits “sexy” but still professional and emphasizes that “you have to do it right.”
As she comes to the end of her video, Kasey summarizes, “So, yes. You can be a sports reporter and still dress professionally but also be cute about it, too.”
What is Appropriate Attire for a Sports Reporter?
It seems this topic has been widely debated for a while. In 2015, The Week reported on sports journalist Ines Sainz’s outfit at the New York Jets’ football practice. Apparently, she wore a low-cut blouse, heels, and “painted-on-jeans.”
In turn, Ashley Fox from The Philadelphia Inquirer somewhat defended Sainz, saying that “athletes can be pigs.” However, she made sure to emphasize that “if you want to be treated like a professional, you have to dress like a professional.” Then again, Sainz was “promoted” as a sex symbol by her TV network. This is where Kasey’s comment on keeping an eye on independent journalists comes up.
Viewers Clap Back
In her comment section, Kasey encounters raging discourse. Many viewers choose to call out her outfits instead. One viewer with over 700 likes says, “THOSE are your professional outfits?! Lol.” Similarly, another viewer states, “Are the professional outfits in the room with us?”
Another with 300 likes says, “How is your first outfit any different??” Kasey then replies, “The inseam was longer and my booty wasn’t hanging out, that’s the difference! Like I said, we can get away with wearing shorts and skirts, just have to fit correctly. It’s about being professional, despite your body type. Doesn’t mean someone is less beautiful.”
A third chimes in and says, “Saying another woman’s outfit isn’t classy because of the shape of her body is wild. It’s giving ‘girls can’t wear tank tops to school because it might distract the boys’ This is coming from somebody who has had two employers make new dress code rules because of the shape.”
One viewer staunchly says, “I’ve never heard of you in my life. Why should we think that you are an authority on anything?”
Another says, “u showed a few outfits that were literally just like hers. the only difference is she has a bodyody and fills her clothes out.”
On the other hand, a smaller number of viewers agreed with Kasey’s point. “Let’s normalize PROFESSIONALISM this should not be a controversial take,” says one viewer.
“The suit was nice but it was the no blouse or undershirt that was wild,” says another. Kasey replies, “Yes agreed! I don’t think anyone would’ve thought twice if there was blouse.”
Lastly, one viewer shares, “I cannot believe you’re getting dragged – you’re totally right.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Kasey and Owens via email.
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