Stereotypes of Race and Nationality: A Qualitative Analysis of Sport Magazine Coverage of MLB Players

Journal of Sport Management, 2011

Posted: 26 Jul 2011

See all articles by Andrea N. Eagleman

Andrea N. Eagleman

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Date Written: March 31, 2011

Abstract

Racial and nationality-based stereotypes of professional baseball players have been prominent in the U.S. media since the 1800s (Voigt, 1976). To determine the manner and extent to which such stereotypes exist in the media today, a qualitative document analysis was conducted on the nation's top two general-interest sport magazines, Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine from 2000 to 2007. Based on framing theory, the purpose of the study was to determine what differences existed between the frames used to describe athletes of differing nationalities and races. The results revealed that stereotypes based on race and nationalities were maintained throughout the study in both publications, further perpetuating such stereotypes in the minds of readers. In addition, differences existed in portrayals of athletes of the same race but different nationalities. Implications for sport managers and suggestions for future research are addressed.

Keywords: Framing, Major League Baseball, Media, Stereotypes, Race, Nationality

Suggested Citation

Eagleman, Andrea N., Stereotypes of Race and Nationality: A Qualitative Analysis of Sport Magazine Coverage of MLB Players (March 31, 2011). Journal of Sport Management, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1895531

Andrea N. Eagleman (Contact Author)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) ( email )

901 W. New York St.
Room PE 268
Indianapolis, IN 46202
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
3,125
PlumX Metrics