Shot in Black and White: Visualized Framing in ESPN’s The Body Issue

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Cranmer ◽  
Alexander L. Lancaster ◽  
Tina M. Harris

The disparity in framing in sport media based on athlete race has historically garnered extensive attention. In the past, the media promoted historical stereotypes of Black athletes that emphasized their physical prowess and diminished their intellectual capacity. However, recent research provides evidence that these traditional frames are changing and that recent media coverage is more racially equitable or even contradicts old patterns. Advancing this critique further, the current study examined novel visual frames (i.e., the emphasis of athleticism, sporting context, and sexualization) of White and Black athletes in ESPN’s The Body Issue. The findings contradict historical patterns of representations of Black athletes through the identification of a shift in the framing patterns for Black male athletes, whereas Black female athletes still face frames that portray them in a stereotypical manner. This study recognizes these tensions while successfully illustrating the importance of examining the intersections of difference for revealing and confronting the unique portrayals of Black female athletes.

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Redmond ◽  
Lynn L. Ridinger ◽  
Frederick L. Battenfield

Opportunities for girls and women to participate in sports have been increasing since the enactment of Title IX; however, the media attention given to female athletes and women’s sports has lagged behind. Media coverage of female athletes has been investigated extensively in newspapers and magazines; however, few studies have examined the attention given to women’s sports on the Internet.This study focused on one sports news website to examine and compared the coverage of female and male athletes and coaches in one specific sport, college basketball. A content analysis was conducted on ESPN.com during the 2007 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. Results showed that women and men do not receive the same attention on the main page; however, equity was evident when the webpage for women’s college basketball was compared to the webpage for men’s college basketball.


1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Lee Dworkin ◽  
Faye Linda Wachs

This paper analyzes how mainstream print media polices sexuality through framings of HIV-positive male athletes. We analyze the HIV-positive announcements of Magic Johnson, Greg Louganis, and Tommy Morrison. Specifically, we discuss differences between the framing of gay men (Louganis) and self-identified heterosexual men (Johnson and Morrison). First, there is an extensive search for the ways Magic Johnson and Tommy Morrison contracted HIV/AIDS. Media coverage emphasizes that “straights can get it too” through promiscuity and a “fast lane” lifestyle. Consistent with the historically automatic conflation of HIV/AIDS with gay identity, the media pose no inquiries into the cause of Louganis’ HIV transmission. We close our discussion by focusing on the meaning of extending the signifier of HIV/AIDS beyond gay bodies to include working class and black male bodies. Media surveillance of sexual identity and the body reinforces hegemonic masculinity in sport while feeding into the current sexual hierarchy in U.S. culture.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Risa F. Isard ◽  
E. Nicole Melton

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to examine the role of intersectionality (multiple marginalized identities) in narratives used within online media coverage of women's sports. The authors adopted an intersectionality lens and drew from sports media literature to explore the representation of Black athletes in women's sport.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a quantitative content analysis of online articles from ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated from the 2020 WNBA Season. The authors coded the number of times an athlete was mentioned in an article, the athlete's race, publicly disclosed sexual orientation and gender expression. The authors used hierarchical regression to examine the relationship between an athlete's social identities and frequency of media mentions.FindingsWithin mainstream online sport media, Black WNBA athletes receive less media attention than white WNBA athletes. Black athletes who do not present in traditionally feminine ways receive the least amount of media attention, while white athletes have the freedom to express their gender in a variety of ways and still capture media interest. Within league press releases, however, there is no difference in media mentions based on race, sexual orientation or gender expression.Practical implicationsThe findings in this research are important for sport media professionals who write stories and player-activists who are pursuing racial justice. Outlets should commit to antiracist storytelling practices. Players, player agents and players' associations—all of whom have shown their power to create change for a more equitable industry and society—should also advocate for and organize around practices that create more equitable media coverage.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few empirical investigations of women's professional sport that examines the influence of intersecting social identities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Roberto Roklicer ◽  
Dragan Atanasov ◽  
Filip Sadri ◽  
Dzenan Jahic ◽  
Danilo Bojanic ◽  
...  

SummaryStudy aim: The body structure can play a determining role in the achievement of top judo performance, and it seems to influence the type of techniques applied. The aim of this study is to determine the somatotypes in male and female national level judokas across weight categories in order to observe possible differences among athletes.Material and methods: A total of 61 male judokas (23.2 ± 2.7 years old) and 37 female judokas (22.3 ± 3.3 years old) participated in this study. Anthropometric variables were used to calculate somatotypes. Somatotypes were determined according to the Heath-Carter method. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test were used to determine differences between weight categories and obtained effect sizes (η2) were presented as well.Results: Somatotype differences among weight categories in male and female judokas were observed. Generally, all categories could be classified in three somatotypes in male and female athletes.Conclusions: The lightest categories were recognized as mesomorphic ectomorphs in females with an exception in the –48 kg category, and ectomorphic mesomorphs in male athletes. The middle ones had the endomorphic mesomorph somatotype and the heaviest athletes presented somewhat more extreme cases of endomorphic mesomorphs, both in male and female judokas. According to the results obtained, judokas have a specific body composition in different weight categories. Therefore, coaches could create a specific training programme for athletes who belong to different somatotypes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-283
Author(s):  
Alazne Mujika-Alberdi ◽  
Iñaki García-Arrizabalaga ◽  
Juan José Gibaja-Martins

En el artículo se analiza la opinión ciudadana sobre la imagen de las mujeres deportistas en relación con la de los hombres deportistas en el Territorio Histórico de Gipuzkoa (País Vasco, España). En los últimos años, se constata un avance significativo en la paridad de la práctica deportiva, con resultados positivos en términos de rendimiento deportivo de las mujeres deportistas. Sin embargo, los medios de comunicación siguen ofreciendo a menudo una imagen estereotipada de las mujeres deportistas reproducida luego en la opinión pública. El artículo muestra los resultados de una encuesta realizada a la población guipuzcoana sobre la visibilidad/invisibilidad de las mujeres deportistas y los estereotipos asociados a su imagen. Los resultados indican que todavía, y a pesar de diferentes esfuerzos, las mujeres deportistas son poco visibles para la población. Tanto la notoriedad espontánea como la asistida de las mujeres deportistas es muy inferior a la de los hombres deportistas. La poca visibilidad se añade a otro problema, la perdurabilidad de los estereotipos. Se confirma la tendencia a incidir en cuestiones ligadas al aspecto físico, así como la atribución de diferentes valores según el sexo del deportista. A pesar de todo, se ha identificado una predisposición favorable hacia el consumo de deporte femenino o practicado por mujeres. En definitiva, se observan algunos pasos en la dirección hacia la paridad, pero el reto sigue aún vigente. The article analyzes the public opinion on the image of sportswomen in relation to that of sportsmen in the Historical Territory of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). In recent years, there has been a significant advance in the parity of sports practice, with positive results in terms of sports performance of female athletes. However, the media often continue to offer a stereotypical image of female athletes later reproduced in public opinion. The article shows the results of a survey carried out among the Gipuzkoan population on the visibility / invisibility of sportswomen and the stereotypes associated with their image. The results indicate that still, and despite different efforts, female athletes are not very visible to the population. Both the spontaneous and assisted notoriety of female athletes is much lower than that of male athletes. Low visibility adds to another problem, the persistence of stereotypes. The tendency to influence issues related to physical appearance is confirmed, as well as the attribution of different values according to the athlete's sex. Despite everything, a favorable predisposition towards the consumption of sports by women or practiced by women has been identified. In short, there are some steps towards parity, but the challenge remains. O artigo analisa a opinião pública sobre a imagem das esportistas mulehres em relação à dos esportistas homens no Território Histórico de Gipuzkoa (País Basco, Espanha). Nos últimos anos, houve um avanço significativo na paridade da prática esportiva, com resultados positivos no desempenho esportivo das atletas do sexo feminino. No entanto, a mídia muitas vezes continua a oferecer uma imagem estereotipada de atletas femininas posteriormente reproduzida na opinião pública. O artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada junto à população gipuzkoana sobre a visibilidade / invisibilidade das esportistas e os estereótipos associados à sua imagem. Os resultados indicam que ainda, e apesar dos esforços diferenciados, as atletas femininas não são muito visíveis para a população. Tanto a notoriedade espontânea quanto a assistida de atletas do sexo feminino é muito menor do que a dos atletas do sexo masculino. A baixa visibilidade aumenta outro problema, a persistência de estereótipos. Confirma-se a tendência de influenciar questões relacionadas à aparência física, bem como a atribuição de valores diferenciados de acordo com o sexo do atleta. Apesar de tudo, identificou-se uma predisposição favorável ao consumo de esportes por mulheres ou praticados por mulheres. Em suma, existem alguns passos em direção à paridade, mas o desafio ainda está em vigor.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Ajeng Sindi Tirtasari ◽  
Kunjung Ashadi

The purpose of this study was to determine the adequacy of fluids in the body during training for youth athletes of martial arts. The research method uses descriptive quantitative. Data collection techniques were obtained from urine tests, interviews, and multiple choice questions on 10 athletes consisting of five male athletes and five female athletes of martial art with a maximum age criteria of 18 years. Data analysis techniques used mean, standard deviation, percentage, graph, normality, and different test Paired Sample T Test to find out the difference in the mean. Athletes' knowledge of hydration was in the moderate category and there was a significant difference (Sig. <0.05) in the average hydration before and after training by the Madiun Regency martial art athletes.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Pipit Pitriani ◽  
Basiran Basiran ◽  
Nida'ul Hidayah

Nutritional status in athletes is one of the important factors that affect athlete performance. Athlete's knowledge of nutrition is still lacking. Malnutrition and other health problems are found many in athletes. The purpose of this activity is trained athletes to improve the understanding of nutritional status and measure anthropometry to improve performance. This training contains materials that is needed to improve athlete's knowledge on nutritional status and anthropometric measurements. Further it can be used in the training process or in match conditions. This community service activity was attended by 29 participants consisting of female and male athletes as well as handball trainers. The activity is carried out online. Before and after the training participants fill out a google form for data on body weight, height, and questions about training materials. From the results of data processing, the average height for male athletes was 176 ± 6.33cm and for female athletes 164 ± 5.79cm. Meanwhile, the body weight of female athletes is 60.5 ± 8.3kg and male athletes are 74.02 ± 9.05kg. BMI in female athletes is 22.5 ± 2.2kg / m2 and in male athletes 23.88 ± 1.88 kg / m2. The mean pre-test score for female athletes was 60.35 ± 11.09, while for male athletes it was 60.35 ± 14.69. The average post-test score for female athletes was 67.85 ± 11.90, while for male athletes the average post-test score was 72.5 ± 9.20. Thus, the difference (gain) change in post-test scores to pre-test in female athletes is 12.43% and 20.12% in men. From this training, it can be concluded that there is an increase in the knowledge of handball athletes regarding nutritional status, nutrition, and dietary regulation in athletes. It is hoped that further this community service activity can be carried out in terms of determining the calorie and nutritional needs of athletes as well as athletes can be given knowledge about how to make food menus according to the needs of athletes.    


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merryn Sherwood

Australia’s major sporting codes proudly promote the fact that almost 40 per cent of their fans are women, however, this gender balance is not reflected in the composition of the media workforce covering sport. Further, there is very little mainstream media coverage of women’s sport and female athletes in Australia. However, the advent of digital media and lower barriers of access into the media market have led to a proliferation of women creating independent sports media; that is, media produced outside newsrooms by individuals who are not professional journalists. These products, which mostly comprise websites and podcasts, focus on sport generally and women’s sport and female athletes more specifically. These products have regularly secured accreditation to cover events and interview talent, an indication they have been accepted into the sports media landscape, and have started to develop significant audiences. This study conducted in-depth qualitative interviews to explore who these women are, why they create digital sports media products and whether they believe they are practising journalism.


2004 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Payne

There is a common assumption among sport and media analysts that female athletes worldwide simply do not enjoy adequate media coverage. This article aims to challenge this notion by highlighting an important aspect of women's sport reporting often overlooked in other analyses of sportswomen in the media — Olympic press coverage. In contrast to everyday press representations of women's sport, the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 provided several positive examples of reports written by Australian journalists about female athletes. Incorporating quantitative and qualitative approaches, this paper assesses both the allocation and content of articles printed about female Olympians during the Sydney Olympics by four major Australian newspapers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward M. Kian ◽  
Marie Hardin

This study examined effects of the sex of sports writers on the framing of athletes in print-media coverage of intercollegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The number of articles by female and male authors and the frames used were analyzed. Descriptors of players, coaches, and both tournaments in articles from CBS SportsLine, ESPN Internet, The New York Times, and USA Today were coded with the authors’ names initially hidden. Results showed that female journalists were more apt to cover women’s basketball, and men predominantly wrote about men’s basketball. The sex of writers also influenced the ways female and male athletes were presented. Male writers were more likely to reinforce gender stereotypes by praising the athleticism of male athletes. In contrast, female writers more often framed female athletes for their athletic prowess. The results suggest that female sports writers can make some difference in framing, but institutional structures minimize their impact.


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