Combining theory with practical application, this collection of real-life, provocative case studies on social issues in sports provides students with the opportunity to make the call on ethical and professional dilemmas faced by a variety of sport and communication professionals.
The case studies examine the successes and failures of communication in the corporate culture of sport intersecting with social issues including race, gender, religion, social media, mass media, public health, and LGBTQ+ issues. Topics include the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, sexual abuse scandals, domestic violence, cultural appropriation, and mental health. Each chapter contextualizes a specific issue, presents relevant theory and practical communication principles, and leads into discussion questions to prompt critical reflection. The book encourages students to view the evidence themselves, consider competing ethical and professional claims, and formulate practical responses.
This collection serves as a scholarly text for courses in sport communication, business, intercultural communication, public relations, journalism, media studies, and sport management.
"Part I: Introduction to Sport and Social Issues 1. Sport and Social Issues: The Touchdowns and Strikeouts Terry L. Rentner Part II: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2. ""The Rooney Ruse"": Systemic Racism and Hiring NFL Head Coaches David P. Burns and Chris B. Geyerman 3. When Fandom Stains Your Team: Evaluating the effectiveness of the Utah Jazz’s organizational responses to racist incidents Nicola A. Corbin and Anne Bialowas 4. Concussion settlement and racial norming: The NFL fumbles into a crisis Cory Young, Terry Rentner and Annemarie Farrell 5. Major League Soccer’s Navigation of the 2019 Iron Front Crisis Caleb Bills 6. Protecting the Brees brand: How Drew Brees Said ""Sorry"" for his National Anthem Protest Comments Steph Doehler 7. ‘Kicking Hate Out of Our Game’: San Diego Loyal Soccer Club’s Stand Against Racism and Homophobia Jeffrey W. Kassing, Isaiah D. Utley and Steffanie M. Kiourkas 8. Issues and Crisis Management in Athlete Activism: Colin Kaepernick and Take a Knee Lillian Feder 9. Reputation Management Strategies at ESPN Kevin Hull and Denetra Walker 10. From Les Esquimaux to The Elks: Addressing Social Responsibility in the Canadian Football League David J. Jackson and Lori Liggett 11. In the Space of Indecision: Social and Cultural Challenges Facing Major League: Soccer NEXT Academies Saleema Mustafa Campbell and Erin E. Gilles 12. #WeAreAllMonkeys: Eating Bananas as the Intersection of Hashtag Activism and Anti-Racist Solidarity Pratik Nyaupane 13. The Milwaukee Bucks: Professional Athletic Labor’s Position in Racist Late-Stage Capitalism Kevin G. Thompson Part III: Gender Equity, Identity, and Sexual Misconduct 14. Conquering a Boy’s Club Using an Issues Management Approach: How Women’s Soccer May Pioneer a Path to Pay Equity Terry L. Rentner and David P. Burns 15. Communicating in Crisis without the Power to Act Bradley J. Baker 16. Strategic Resistance through Communication Capital: Rapinoe’s Reframing of Women-Identified Athletes through Mind-Body Performance for Social Change Elesha L. Ruminski and Dorene Ciletti 17. Alysia, Allyson, and Nike’s ‘Band of Brothers’: Exposing the Hypocrisy between Corporate Marketing and Internal Practices Amy Aldridge Sanford, Nikola Grafnetterova and RJ Loa 18. Let Them Wear Shorts! Analyzing the Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball Team’s Uniform Code Protest Megan R. Hill, Karen T. Erlandson and Katey A. Price 19. Sports News Media, Major Leagues, and Intimate Partner Violence Steve Ingham, Jade Metzger-Riftkin and Tara McManus 20. ‘Play like the Lady you are’: Marketing Women’s Gaelic football Niamh Kitching 21. Trans inclusion in sports: assumed advantages, (un)fairness, and athlete well-being Aaron W. Gurlly Part IV: Mental Health and COVID-19 Pandemic 22. Athlete Influence in Regard to Mask Wearing: An Application of Social Cognitive Theory Lindsey J. DiTirro and Jennifer R. Allen Catellier 23. Controlling the Narrative: NBC, USA Gymnastics, and Simone Biles at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games Aaron W. Gurlly 24. ""We Hope to See You Soon"" The Green Bay Packers' Crisis Management through a Letter to the Fans during COVID-19 Mega-Crisis Julia C. Richmond 25. Blaming Biles: Intersectionality and Organizational Obligations to Mental Health Jeff Nagel and Scott J. Varda 26. How Can Organizations Better Support Athletes? A Case Study of the Impact of COVID-19 on Minoritized Communities in Intercollegiate Sport Yannick Kluch, Shaun M. Anderson and Tomika L. Ferguson"
Terry L. Rentner is Professor in the School of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio, USA. David P. Burns is Professor in the Department of Communication at Salisbury University in Maryland, USA.
