{"title":"Shifting Sports Gambling Terrain: New Factors Within an Age-Old Activity","authors":"Andrew C. Billings, Marie Hardin","doi":"10.1177/21674795251323337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251323337","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143470641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Signing Off: An Examination Into Female Journalists Leaving Legacy Media","authors":"Timothy Mirabito, John Collett, Jack Talbott","doi":"10.1177/21674795251321746","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251321746","url":null,"abstract":"The role of female journalists in local television news is a tenuous space. Having women occupy jobs in traditionally hegemonically male roles enriches perspective and content. Simultaneously, the work environment can be challenging—often hostile—which leads to negative work experiences for female practitioners. The instability has led to an outflow of women opting out of the television news industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate why female local sports journalists were leaving the business. Researchers conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with local sports television journalists who left their jobs in the last four years (since 2020). The findings of this study rendered two main themes and one smaller secondary theme that offered a perspective on several variables behind these decisions and important distinctions between those factors facing women and men. Many of the variables influencing practitioners to leave were similar. For instance, almost every respondent offered low salary and bad schedules as reasons for getting out. However, findings showed that women made less money and did not serve in newsroom leadership roles, which meant they had even worse schedules. The conclusion of this study is that newsroom leaders need to address the stronger headwinds facing female journalists and need to be more strategic about fostering healthier work environments for women in the newsroom.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143462463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk, Responsibility, and Prevention in Injury Management: Implications of Concussion (mis)education on Youth Athlete Knowledge Uptake","authors":"Kaleigh Pennock, Braeden McKenzie","doi":"10.1177/21674795251321759","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251321759","url":null,"abstract":"Concerns over the short- and long-term health implications of concussions has led to a surge in concussion education materials, resources, and modalities to educate youth athletes as a first line of defense in injury prevention. In this paper, we argue that this over-emphasis on concussion education–and a reliance on static, sensationalized, and culturally disconnected messaging–fails to consider the sociocultural implications of concussion education and the subsequent uptake and impact of this information by/on youth athletes. To do so, we present research involving semi-structured interviews with youth athletes in Ontario, Canada ( N = 28; aged 13-18-years-old) focused on understanding experiences with concussion knowledge and education. Through our analysis, we highlight three important domains related to athletes’ experiences with concussion education concerning (1) sufficient education, (2) scare tactics in education efforts, and (3) equity, access, and responsibility. By problematizing education as an effective mode of injury prevention, we draw attention to a gap within current sport-related concussion literature concerning knowledge uptake, education, and behaviour with the social and cultural realities of concussion experiences.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143435240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Super “Soul” Parties: Building Civic Inclusion Through Fandom","authors":"Whitney Gent, Emily Sauter","doi":"10.1177/21674795251315343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251315343","url":null,"abstract":"Despite a widespread belief that sports can build community and help lift people out of violence and poverty, scholars have yet to establish a definitive relationship between marginalized communities and sports fandom as a pathway to social inclusion. In this study, we examine publicity surrounding a series of “Super Soul parties,” Super Bowl parties for people experiencing homelessness, to show how sports fandom can be rhetorically positioned to create a sense of belonging. We argue that Kay’s use of the Super Bowl is a strategic utilization of sports as a tool for rhetorically creating 1) visibility, 2) legibility, and 3) dignity. However, we also find this strategy is tenuous; over time, Super Soul parties’ housed attendees revert from seeing homeless people as fans to understanding them as others in need of service. For sports fandom to successfully provide dignity and inclusion, advocates must find ways to avoid reinscribing traditional service hierarchies.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143072368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Selfie Scores: A Scoping Review of Research on Athlete Social Media Self-Presentation","authors":"Qingru Xu","doi":"10.1177/21674795251315832","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251315832","url":null,"abstract":"This study conducts a scoping review of the literature on athlete social media self-presentation (ASMSP), aiming to map the current state of research, identify gaps, and propose directions for future studies. The review of 99 journal articles reveals a significant expansion over the past two decades, with studies exploring diverse aspects such as difference comparing across athlete groups, identity negotiations, brand building, and interactions between ASMSP and professional outcomes. Based on the syntheses, we recommend future scholars advance theoretical perspectives, examine identity negotiation among male athletes, explore diverse sport and geographical contexts, refine the measurement of athlete popularity, and move beyond descriptive patterns to explore causal relationships. By consolidating the existing body of literature, this review serves as a roadmap for future research and offers insights for practitioners to refine strategies for athlete branding.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"124 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143056595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natalie Brown-Devlin, Jingyue Tao, Chris Imbrogno, Nicole Butterbaugh, Xiaotong Liu, Leonard Memon, Yara Acaf, Josh Anderson
{"title":"Examining Sports Media Credibility, Bias, Political Identification, and Fandom Using a Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey","authors":"Natalie Brown-Devlin, Jingyue Tao, Chris Imbrogno, Nicole Butterbaugh, Xiaotong Liu, Leonard Memon, Yara Acaf, Josh Anderson","doi":"10.1177/21674795251314383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251314383","url":null,"abstract":"Two studies utilizing a repeated cross-sectional survey were conducted over a three-year period to measure the source credibility and media bias ratings of six sports media brands (i.e., NBC Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports). Study 1 found sports media brands’ source credibility has been rated more positively since 2021 and ratings of media bias have decreased since 2021. Guided by social identity theory, Study 2 analyzed how respondents’ social identity labels (i.e., political identification and sports fandom) affected their media bias and source credibility evaluations, noting the importance of sports fandom. Notably, sports fans report lower levels of media bias when their fandom level is high.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143056598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Why Do People Collect Sportscards? Fan Motivations for Collecting Miniature Sports Media","authors":"Scott Parrott","doi":"10.1177/21674795241309844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795241309844","url":null,"abstract":"The sports card industry boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic when sports fans lacked access to sporting events. Estimates now place the value of the sports card industry in the billions. Sports cards raise compelling questions concerning fan behavior: Why collect cardboard photos of athletes? This study examines fan motivations for collecting sports cards by examining comments on Reddit, a social media platform centered around shared interests. Informed by the Uses & Gratifications approach, a thematic analysis was used to examine 326 comments concerning user motivations for collecting sports cards. Seven reasons were identified: Fans collect sports cards because (1) sports cards are educational; (2) fans identify with athletes; (3) sports cards can be a financial investment; (4) sports cards are addicting; (5) sports cards nurture social connection; (6) sports cards are entertaining, and (7) sports cards provide escape from mundane and stressful life events.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142987312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sports Journalism as Both Practice and Industry: New Research and Ideas to Understand Dynamics and Impact","authors":"Marie Hardin, Andrew C. Billings","doi":"10.1177/21674795241308355","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795241308355","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142967751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“If Those Stats Make You Mad, Then You’ve Come to the Right Place”: Theorizing a Women’s Sports Media Counterpublic","authors":"Monica Crawford","doi":"10.1177/21674795241301308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795241301308","url":null,"abstract":"With over four decades of scholarship assessing sports media coverage through the lens of hegemonic masculinity, this study poses counterpublics as a generative theoretical concept for telling stories about sport differently and locating instances of feminist resistance within sports media. To theorize the nature of a women’s sport counterpublic, this study turns to online women’s sports media organizations. The analysis consists of a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of six identified outlets’ “About” pages and contends that the outlets employ elements of counterpublicity by making statements of (perceived) exclusion, developing their discursive arenas, and maintaining links to mainstream sports media outlets. In posing counterpublics as a valuable conceptual framework for the study of sports media, this study advocates for a paradigmatic shift to focusing on the margins of sport as spaces welcome to a re-imagining of an inclusive future of sport.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"55 3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Danmu as Parasocial Audience Engagement: A Textual Analysis Based on Television Interviews With Women Athletes","authors":"Zizhong Zhang","doi":"10.1177/21674795241303424","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795241303424","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines danmu (bullet screens) as a form of parasocial audience engagement, focusing on two television interviews with women athletes. A textual analysis of 3513 comments identified five types of parasocial interactions: addressing the athletes, the host, other viewers, social issues, and the nation. Danmu fosters multidimensional engagement, enabling audiences to shift roles and adopt diverse communication strategies. Moreover, the scope of these interactions extends beyond the video context to address broader societal and national issues. This study also highlights the concept of parakin interactions as reflected in danmu. It underscores danmu’s potential as a participatory journalism tool that complements mainstream media by fostering emotional resonance and challenging benevolent sexism in coverage. Feminism emerges as a central framework within the danmu discourse surrounding women athletes. As a form of parasocial audience engagement, danmu holds promise for empowering a wider range of marginalized groups.","PeriodicalId":46882,"journal":{"name":"Communication & Sport","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142756100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}