ESPN – English 1102: Television and Feminism

Katz, Ron. “Cross Gender Representation in Sportscasting.” Forbes, 2015, Forbes.com, https://www.forbes.com/sites/rkatz/2015/11/28/gross-gender-discrimination-in-sportscasting/#59bcbc71691c.

This article brings to the readers’ attention some of the differing standards that viewers judge men and women sportscasters by. As a result of his research, the author found that male sportscasters tend to be judged by the amount of sports knowledge they have and their speaking ability, while women are judged almost solely on their appearance and apparent “sexiness.” The value of this source is found in the questions that it raised about how people view women in sports media. Due to audiences’ gender stereotypes, women sportscasters struggle to gain credibility in a male-dominated industry. This article also notes how in some professional sports such as football, organizations encourage their employees to interview minority candidates for management positions, but there is nothing like that within today’s sports media landscape due in large part to the lack of pressure to bridge this gap of gender discrimination. While this article makes some very valid points and even references some credible sources of research, it should be noted that it does not have any hard facts within the article. It does however give us a keener insight into the minds of sports audiences.

Madkour, Abraham D. “Women in sports media cite progress, obstacles.” Sports Business Journal, 2017, sportsbusinessdaily.com, https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/03/06/Opinion/From-The-Executive-Editor.aspx

This article discusses the challenges that women are facing within the sports media landscape. It notes that because it is such a male dominated industry, women have to be twice as prepared and on their game as their male counterparts. Their mistakes seem to carry more backlash and consequences because of their gender. It tells us that women have come a long way in this industry but many times there is a negative reaction towards them based solely on viewer’s perceptions of what an acceptable role in the sports landscape should be for women that totally disregards a woman’s experience and expertise on a subject matter. The value of this article is that it shows us some of the popular opinions towards women sportscasters. We should be mindful, however, that this article is not peer-reviewed and that its sources of information are probably biased on the subject matter due to their lack of objectivity.

Mastro, Dana, et al. “The Wide World of Sports Reporting: The Influence of Gender- and Race-Based Expectations on Evaluations of Sports Reporters.” Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, vol. 89, no. 3, 2012, pp. 458-474. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1036601497?accountid=11107.

This journal article raises the question of how visual framing and content affect how viewers perceive both the message and the reporter. It also discusses how race and gender expectations affect how the audience judges a reporter and whether or not they are seen as competent and credible. It does this through studying the reactions to different newspaper excerpts and by also asking the participants questions in order figure out their preconceived notions regarding gender and sports. This study found that journalists who were of the same race and gender that audiences associated with a sport (ex. women’s gymnastics being seen as a white, female sport) were seen as more credible and a better source of information than their counterparts. This source is a valuable resource because it discusses the impact that intersectionality has on the sports media industry. It also has some relevant data that shows the ratio between gender and sports coverage.

Mudrick, Michael, and Carolyn A. Lin. “Looking on from the Sideline: Perceived Role Congruity of Women Sports Journalists.” Journal of Sports Media, vol. 12, no. 2, 2017, pp. 79-101. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1966844219?accountid=11107.

This article uses college students to study how attractiveness and gender play a role in audience loyalty, and how it impacts the audience’s perception of the expertise and trustworthiness of a sports journalist. The results of this study found that gender-role congruity between reporter and sport type, such as women reporting on female sports, is a major factor in how audiences view the information that they have been given. In addition, many women reporting in sports that are thought of as male appropriate are seen as incongruent and out of place with the image that is being portrayed by this sport. More attractive reporters are also seen as more reliable than unattractive ones. This study is extremely relevant research because it also raises the key point of gender roles within sports media, and how when people do not adhere to those roles they are seen as less credible and less enjoyable to watch by most audiences.

Mudrick, Michael, et al. “Sportscasting Success: Varying Standards may Apply.”Journal of Sports Media, vol. 13, no. 1, 2018, pp. 49-73. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/2056814931?accountid=11107.

This article is about a study that was done to test how people compare male and female sportscasters. They had participants watch a basketball debate between a male and female sport show hosts from ESPN’s former show Numbers Never Lie. The researchers looked at four characteristics, expertise, trustworthiness, dynamism, and likeability, and compared the positive and negative comments about both of the show hosts in each category in order to see how people perceive different genders when given a direct comparison between male and female sportscasters. The results from this study showed that the male host received more positive feedback in all the areas except for trustworthiness. He was seen as more dynamic and likable and with more sports expertise than the female host. This source was extremely valuable because it showed how the social role theory, which says women and men are expected to behave in certain ways due to their gender, plays a major role in how sportscasters are evaluated by viewers. It also relates to some of the other research I have found because it confirms how a woman’s likability on television is often directly linked to her appearance.

Weathers, Melinda, et al. “The Tweet Life of Erin and Kirk: A Gendered Analysis of Professional Sports Broadcasters’ Self-Presentation on Twitter.” Journal of Sports Media, vol. 9, no. 2, 2014, pp. 1-24. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1555372574?accountid=11107.

This article discusses a study about social media and the difference that exists between male and female sportscasters presentations of themselves on social media platforms. It looks at the Twitter profiles of a male and female sportscasters and compares their tweets to see the differences that exist between how they portray themselves to the general public. It compared the topics that both journalists tweeted about and the frequency of those tweets. The results of this study showed that their presentations of themselves conformed to the prevailing ideologies and stereotypes that surround the sports media realm. The woman sportscaster was found to tweet more about her personal life and the topics of fashion, family, and events in her day to day life. The male sportscaster, on the other hand, was much more likely to tweet about what was going on in the sports landscape and offer analysis and predictions for the fans. The value of this study is that it shows how easily people fall into the boxes that have been assigned to them, partly because of society’s expectations. It raises an interesting question to ponder what would be the public’s reaction if the gender roles were reversed.

1. “Young Women Talking Sports and Careers: A Glimpse at the Next Generation of Women in Sport Media”

Staurowsky, Ellen J., and Jessica DiManno. “Young Women Talking Sports and Careers: A Glimpse at the Next Generation of Women in Sport Media.” Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, 2002, pp. 127. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/230677630?accountid=11107.

In this peer reviewed report, we get a glimpse of how rapidly the number of women in sports media is increasing. The report argues that everyday more and more undergraduate female students pursue careers in sports media. However, the report claims that the number of overall women in sports media continues to be small. Furthermore, the report focuses on the struggles that began with this exponential growth of women in sports media, and that these undergrads face. Most of the struggles include sexism, sexual objectification, and overall their parents’ opinions. On the contrary to what can be imagined, these undergrads are often more supported by their fathers than by their mothers. The true value of this report is that it focuses on women who are not yet on a sports media career, but rather are studying to be in one. Furthermore, this report is based on surveys, therefore we get the accounts of the struggles these women had to face.

2.””there’s no Sex Attached to Your Occupation”: The Revolving Door for Young Women in Sports Journalism.”

Hardin, Marie, Stacie Shain, and Kelly Shultz-Poniatowski. “”there’s no Sex Attached to Your Occupation”: The Revolving Door for Young Women in Sports Journalism.” Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, 2008, pp. 68-79. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/230686521?accountid=11107.

This report is part of a longitudinal study that focuses on why the longevity of women careers in sports media are so short. This report focuses on the barriers or difficulties young women face in the first two years of their careers in sports journalism. This report focuses on three main themes found. The first is that being a woman is more of a disadvantage than a barrier in sports journalism. Second, that sports are mostly a man’s world. Third, beginning a family, or beginning to have family responsibilities will often end their careers. The report also touches on the topic of women being discriminated based on their gender in this career. I believe this study is very valuable because it focuses on women who are beginning their careers and are typically very young. All the women interviewed were in their early and mid-twenties. Furthermore, this study is valuable because it shows how women in sports media careers often feel satisfied with their occupation.

3.”The Current State of Women Print Journalists: An Analysis of the Status and Careers of Females in Newspapers Sports Departments.”
Miloch, Kimberly S., et al. “The Current State of Women Print Journalists: An Analysis of the Status and Careers of Females in Newspapers Sports Departments.” Public Organization Review, vol. 5, no. 3, 2005, pp. 219. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/207467220?accountid=11107, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11115-005-3499-y.

This report is focused on women working in the sports department of their newspaper. This study is focused on four main things. First it focuses on the demographic makeup of the sports department overall. Second, it studies the job status of women regarding the sports department. Third, it focuses on the reasons for entering pursuing this career and field. Lastly, it gives some advice for women who might choose to follow this field. The study showed that most women are happy with the tasks they receive in the workplace. The study also indicates that most women have gone through discrimination in their field. The study also suggests that many women felt they had to provide coverage to female sporting events than the men in their departments. The value of this study is that it mainly focuses on print media, therefore it can provide a different and more specific viewpoint than the others. Furthermore, this study focuses on demographics, so we can see how different cultures correlate to different factors in sports print media.

4.”Aiming for More Air Time Debate Picks Up on Women’s Place in Sportscasting.”

Martzke, Rudy. “Aiming for More Air Time Debate Picks Up on Women’s Place in Sportscasting.” Usa Today, Sep 07, 2000, pp. C.1. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/408826855?accountid=11107.

This article focuses on the debate of women and men on the topic of women getting more air time in sports coverage. The article shows the two sides of the debate. One that thinks that more could be done to improve and increase the role of women in sports media and thinks that progress can be made in a faster way. It also shows the other side of the coin. The one that thinks men are more qualified than women to be sportscaster. Or which simply thinks that men who have been very long in their positions should not lose them to women. The article also shows several important times in this debate. Like when women have lost important positions in sportscasting. Or how now, one fifth of all sportscaster are women. I believe this source is valuable because it shows the counterargument to our argument. I believe it is always helpful to know counterarguments. Furthermore, this article includes important times in the timeline of women as sportscasters.

5.”Doris Burke has Game.”

Scheiber, Noam. “Doris Burke has Game.”ProQuest, Apr 28, 2018, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/2031679342?accountid=11107.

This short article focuses on Doris Burke, the first female to receive a normal job as a sports analyst in a major broadcasting agency. Doris Burke is an NBA analyst. This article focuses on her relationship with mainly NBA players, coaches and staff. Normally, women sportscaster or analysts are very discriminated by the players, or coaches they have to cover. However, the relationship Doris Burke has with most NBA players does not show this. The article shows how although, she is not discriminated as much as other female sports analysts, she still suffers some discrimination. One of the biggest examples is how coaches or player apologize for cursing when she interviews them. This article is very valuable for two main reasons. One is that it a specific case study which focuses on one of the better-known women sportscasters, and first NBA analyst. The other reason is that this article gives an example of how even women who are at the top positions in sports media continue to be discriminated.

6.”Women Detail ESPN Culture of Harassment.”

Abelson, Jenn. “Women Detail ESPN Culture of Harassment.” Boston Globe, Dec 15, 2017. ProQuest, http://prx.library.gatech.edu/loginurl=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1977013607?accountid=11107.

This is an article that focuses on the harassment women experience at one of the major sports networking companies, ESPN. The article mentions harassment experienced by women in the broadcasting agency. Some of the things they experienced were unwanted shoulder rubs, or other forms of physical contact, being rated based on their looks by their male colleagues, unwanted sexual propositions, etc. Furthermore, the article shows the insecurity of women sportscasters in their jobs. Many women recall hiding pregnancies or having short maternity leaves to keep their jobs. The article shows that the sexism problems at ESPN run pretty deep into their roots. Furthermore, they detail some legal allegations against the broadcasting giant. However, ESPN is quick and steady to claim that they do not support a culture of sexism in their workplace. This is a very valuable source because it shows the true working conditions women face in sports media. Furthermore, it is very important because ESPN is one of the biggest sports broadcasting agencies and employers.

English 1102: Television and Feminism

Dr. Casey Alane Wilson • Georgia Institute of Technology

Tag: ESPN

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