In October 2021, National Basketball Association player Kyrie Irving was banned from competing for the Brooklyn Nets because of his resistance to being vaccinated for COVID-19. Two months later, the Nets softened that stance and allowed Irving to participate in road games. This study examines two prongs of the social media response to Irving’s vaccination status. A total of 12,000 posts were collected from the U.S.-based Twitter (now known as X; 6,000) and the Chinese-based Weibo (6,000), covering the first week of coverage of Irving and the Nets’ announcement. Results showed that Hofstede’s cultural dimensions help explain the theme differences, with Twitter’s comments reflecting more individualistic notions and lower power distance than Weibo. Moreover, Twitter users focused more on opinion-based expression themes, while Weibo users avoided commenting on the COVID-19 policy. These findings contribute to the literature by identifying the role culture plays in people’s response to a social issue.
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“Doing What’s Best for Me”: A Cultural Values Comparison of Social Media Responses to Kyrie Irving’s COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Sitong Guo, Andrew C. Billings, Joshua R. Jackson, and Suyu Chou
Motivations, Barriers, and Supports: An Examination of the Experiences of Women of Color Recreational Sport Coaches
Eric Legg and Rebecca Varney
Coaches play an instrumental role in the experiences of youth sport participants. Though girls participate in youth sport at similar rates as boys, coaching positions continue to be dominated by men. Existing research supports the value of diverse role models, especially for culturally diverse youth, and women coaches of color are especially important in sport given the low participation rates of ethnocultural minorities. Given the importance of diverse role models as sport coaches, this study investigates the experiences of women of color who coach sport at the recreational level. Based on interviews with 14 individuals, and grounded in socioecological theory, our findings describe the experience of research participants at each level (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and sociocultural) with a focus on the entry experience, barriers, and supports. Findings suggest that gendered and racial norms influence experiences across the model, and further lead to practical implications for sport managers.
Organizational Socialization in Professional Sport: The National Basketball Association’s Rookie Transition Program
Mark A. Beattie
Launched in 1986, the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Rookie Transition Program (RTP) is the longest running program of its kind in U.S. professional sports. Jointly administered by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, the RTP is designed to ease the transition of first-year players to the league. Over the course of 4 days, RTP participants engage with current and former NBA players, coaches, administrators, and other league stakeholders on topics that range from personal finance, to mental health, to social justice advocacy. Organizational scholars might describe the NBA RTP as an element of the league’s onboarding, or organizational socialization, strategy. In this case, students will reflect on their own socialization experiences as organizational newcomers before analyzing the components of the NBA RTP. Finally, students will apply what they learn through this case to design the agenda of a future NBA RTP.
Utilitarianism, Sport Mega-Events, and Pandemic Protocols: A Case Scenario for Teaching Utilitarianism in Sport Ethics and Event Management
Chuck Provencio
Sport managers need to make decisions that have moral implications on a regular basis, and applying their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios is an essential skill in the field. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that focuses on maximizing the production of good. The purpose of this case is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about utilitarianism (including act and rule utilitarianism) and engage in class discussions surrounding the case of pandemic protocols in sport organizations. A brief and general overview of pandemic protocols used in the sport industry is provided alongside discussion questions designed to challenge students with the application of utilitarian principles to their decision making. The case also provides a teaching note with discussion topics and potential responses.
Media Framing of Athletic Department Major Infractions: A 5-Year Review of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Tyler A. Williams and Beth A. Cianfrone
Media coverage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) often focuses excessively on challenges and deficits, influencing public perceptions, but there is little research on media portrayals of HBCU infractions. This study delves into the portrayal of Division I HBCU infractions from 2016 to 2020 through a textual analysis of 60 article headlines from local, regional, and national newspapers. The research examines general framing strategies, temporal changes, specific frames, prominent themes, and attribution of responsibility. Results indicate that the media often frames these infractions episodically rather than thematically over the 5-year span, with limited case details. The headlines emphasized specific issues of reprimand and redemption, often holding the organization accountable. Newspapers contribute to public opinion on athletic infractions by presenting these incidents in an engaging narrative. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how media shapes perceptions of HBCUs, especially in the context of athletic infractions.
Exercising Empathy in the Sport Management Classroom: The True Flipped Classroom
James Strode
Many universities focus on improving pedagogy through training sessions related to technology and assessment. However, what is missing is an emphasis on the humanistic side of teaching, specifically emphasizing empathy in the classroom. This essay makes an argument for faculty to employ empathy in their teaching. Empathy is a learned behavior that motivated faculty can develop and enhance to better serve students. Empathetic teaching is critical for sport management professors due to the numerous challenges and stressors students face, notwithstanding the competitive sport job market. The essay concludes with a novel example of the lessons faculty can employ using knowledge of the motivations of attending a concert to help create an empathetic classroom experience.
Leadership With Legacy in Education-Based Athletics
Brian Mancuso
The Engaged Learner: Undergraduate Research and the Super Bowl
Stacy Warner and Andrea L. Buenaño
Self-Categorization and Sport Management Students: Perceptions of Industry and Discipline by Self-Identified Gender
Mike Ross, Bobby Berry, and Mark Vermillion
Previous research has identified the saliency of gendered experiences in sport industry and educational settings. Drawing from self-categorization theory to better understand the impact of in- and out-group membership on experiences and perceptions, the purpose of this study was to examine college students’ perceptions of gender in both the sport industry and their sport management discipline. Data were collected from a sport management student population at a moderately sized, urban-serving university using an exploratory questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate results indicate statistically significant differences in perceptions of equality, fairness, and experiences between male and female sport management students. Results, which are in alignment with previous research, are discussed along with study limitations.
