Media With a Goal: Sports Media's Use of Operatic Reporting to Increase Fan Engagement

Author: Raj Marwaha
Graduation Year: 2005
Advisor: Diana Owen
Reader:
Date: 28 March 2006
Link to Thesis: RajMarwaha.doc

Media play a central role in how sports are represented and communicated to the public. Sports are a profound part of American culture which reflect the ideals we embody. The commercial influences which make the sports world a thriving industry play a significant role on how Americans regards sport. The public relies upon the media to broadcast and translate sports; however, the effects of mediated sport influence our perception and the emphasis we attribute to sports. This study examines sports media at a national level, with a focus on televised sports journalism. An examination of ESPN programming inspects the following questions: What characteristics of news stories are frequently found in leading headlines? How do media prolong the lifecycle of a story? What role do athletes serve in the marketing of sports and sports journalism? The findings reveal that sports coverage highlights controversies in order to create continuing stories which will make leading headlines. In doing so, the public’s perception of sport is contingent upon the mediated representation of stories the media deem newsworthy.