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Alanna Rizzo trolled for telling women to stop posting half-naked pics if they want to be taken seriously

Rizzo sparked outrage over her advice to young women who wanted to become journalists, especially in the sports industry

Sports reporter Alanna Rizzo was trolled on social media after she advised young women to stop posting "half-naked" pictures of themselves on the internet if they wanted "to be taken seriously."

The seven-time regional Emmy award-winning sportscaster was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcast team on Spectrum SportsNet LA from 2013 through 2020 and rejoined the MLB Network in 2021. Rizzo sparked outrage over her advice to young women who wanted to become journalists, especially in the sports industry. Some thought the veteran commentator's take was "deeply disappointing and frustrating."

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"Real talk," Rizzo wrote on Twitter. "I get asked on a daily basis from young women who want to get into this industry, how to do it," she continued. "One piece of advice. Stop posting yourself half-naked on the internet." Rizzo insisted, "Do you want to be taken seriously as a journalist/reporter? Start there."

The sportscaster's comments sparked a backlash on social media.

"Personally, I think that is an outdated mold that’s gotta go," sports agent Rachel Luba tweeted. "I get it might be a slightly more uphill battle to go this route—but let’s encourage young women to demand and ultimately earn respect by being so undeniably good at their job," she added.

"Alanna Rizzo's 'advice' to women baseball journalists is so deeply disappointing and frustrating," one Twitter user wrote. "Shaming women for how they dress and what they post is so profoundly sexist. Systemic misogyny, violence, racism and queer-hatred embedded in sports and society are the real barriers."

"Seriously disappointed in this take," another wrote. "Women can be both capable, intelligent, and professional at their jobs and take whatever kind of photos they damn well want on their own time and shouldn't be browbeaten for it."

"Would you ever say this to a man who posts pictures of himself with his bros at the beach, or shirtless working out at the gym?" someone else added.
 
"Nope. We’re not blaming young women for the sexist system that values them first and foremost for being hot and considers their talent and experience as a distant second." another chimed in.
 

Some, however, agreed with Rizzo's take.

"Correct on all counts. However, the court of public opinion disagrees," one tweeted. "The human mind likes easy tasks. How you present yourself translates to how you are perceived. No matter how you feel about it."

"Am I allowed to say that you are completely correct or do I need to put on a helmet for the incoming shit storm....." another commented.

"Great advice that should go without needing to be said, but a good reminder," someone else wrote.

"Real talk @alannarizzo There are certain career paths that you need a certain level of professionalism to be taken seriously. You're a very prime example of it. Always been a classy lady and showed you respect others as well as yourself!" another offered.

Rizzo, a Cuban-American native of Colorado, began her sports career as a track and cross country athlete at Sierra High School (class of 1993) in Colorado Springs, where she was inducted into the athletic hall of fame. She earned degrees in international business and broadcast journalism before working as a sports anchor for CBS stations in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Madison, Wisconsin. She then became a reporter for Root Sports Rocky Mountain and won three regional Emmy awards.

Rizzo went on to work at MLB Network from early 2012 until late 2013, reporting for the shows 'Intentional Talk' and 'Quick Pitch'. After resigning from her position with the Dodgers in 2021, she rejoined the MLB Network as a contributor to Christopher Russo's 'High Heat'.