In the context of sport events, several stakeholders’ reputations could be impacted by critical incidents, including event organizers, athletes, teams, countries represented by athletes, and sponsors. The purposes of this study were to develop an understanding of (a) how an event organizer, media, and the public framed a critical incident in a rhetorical arena and (b) how frames were connected with the reputations of event stakeholders immediately following a critical incident. A three-phase approach was employed that involved collecting and analyzing data from X/Twitter about a bus crash at the 2013 Tour de France. The critical incident was framed in nine different ways, many of which were emergent. Findings demonstrated that critical incidents at a sport event are interpreted and framed in multiple ways and can have an impact on the reputations of the event and other event stakeholders.
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Throwing Them Under the Bus: The Framing of a Critical Incident at the Tour de France
Ryan Snelgrove, Laura Wood, Larena Hoeber, and Orland Hoeber
Volume 17 (2024): Issue 3 (Sep 2024)
Interview With Youngjae Jeong, Sports Journalist, JoongAng Ilbo, JoongAng Sunday
Jung Yoon Cho
African Cultural Case: Reexamining Apologia in Communication Theory
Chuka Onwumechili and Unwana Akpan
The image repair theory, alluded to by the situational crisis communication theory, assumes two conditions that require a public oral rhetorical defense. The conditions are that (a) an act is reprehensible and (b) the person or organization is responsible for the act. However, those theories have been largely tested in the Western world, where individualism has primacy over the community. In this work, we argue that rhetorical defenses during image crisis and repair cannot escape the cultural dictates of its social environment. We advance situations in Africa and the United States that demonstrate the differences in the concept of collectivism and individualism and their impact on image and crisis situations. In the African example, we use Blessing Okagbare’s drug-testing case to demonstrate involvement of her community or collective, and in the Western cultural example we use Sha’Carri Richardson’s drug-test case to compare. The key point, overall, is to demonstrate that image-repair incidences in Africa and the West are not encountered similarly, and thus, a universal process of the image repair theory and situational crisis communication theory is not recommended. Instead, we recommend modification of both theories to account for the cultural differences.
CrossFit Games: A Case Study of Consumer Engagement on Social Live-Streaming Service Platforms
Sarah Wymer, Anne L. DeMartini, and Austin R. Brown
Social media platforms offer a direct channel for broadcasting live content to followers, emphasizing the immediacy of interaction. Social live-streaming services present a unique opportunity for niche sport organizations to engage with their communities in real time, providing new opportunities for interaction and engagement. This paper employs a case study of the 2022 CrossFit (CF) Games to understand how social live-streaming services influence consumer engagement in niche sports. Using an online survey and content analysis, the study finds that viewing the CF Games inspires participation and that viewers with a stronger connection to CF are less likely to engage in chat functions. These insights highlight the potential for niche sports to leverage social live-streaming services for enhanced engagement, offering a viable alternative to traditional broadcasting. Although the focus is on CF, the findings may provide valuable lessons for other niche sports facing similar challenges in visibility and audience engagement.
Baseball and Culture: A Case-Study Examination of the Korean Baseball Organization Documentary Full Count
Kevin Hull and Minhee Choi
During the 2022 season, a documentary crew followed the teams and players in the Korean Baseball Organization, resulting in a 10-episode series Full Count that debuted the following year. The series was broadcast initially in South Korea; however, a later international release through a streaming platform allowed for increased worldwide exposure for the league, teams, players, and, perhaps somewhat uniquely, the culture and traditions in the home country. Therefore, even though the focus was baseball, this program provided a unique opportunity for the world to learn about the people and values of South Korea. Using constant comparative methodology, the following themes emerged: (a) emphasizing team over individual, (b) respecting elders, (c) overcoming adversity, and (d) playing with honor.