Big Games, Little Voices: Patriarchy and Power at SEC Football Media Days

Abstract

Patriarchy in collegiate athletics is perpetuated through structural hierarchies and the pervasive use of patriarchal and paternalistic discourse by authority figures – primarily coaches and administrators. These individuals position themselves as guardians of athlete welfare and decision-making, often employing language that frames their oversight as protective and benevolent. However, such discourse reinforces a structural hierarchy that infantilizes athletes and undermines their autonomy. This research critically examined the ways in which patriarchal and paternalistic language operates within the institutional setting of collegiate athletics. Conducting an analysis of coach and athlete interviews ( n = 446), the study reveals how paternalistic narratives normalize dependency and constrain athletes’ self-determination. The findings highlight the ways that infantilizing rhetoric serves to legitimize hierarchical control and justify the marginalization of athlete voices, particularly in areas of representation, monetization, and the broader commercialization of college sports.