In February 2007, U.S. media outlets covered the coming out of retired NBA player John Amaechi, one of only 6 professional male athletes from the four major U.S. team sports to have announced that he is gay. This study analyzes newspaper columns by prominent U.S. sportswriters about Amaechi's announcement. Textual analysis found that although the columns could be read as progressive, they were not; they condemned individuals who expressed overtly homophobic views while reinforcing the status quo in a variety of ways. The neo-homophobic discourse can be compared with that of new racism, a strategy that maintain racial hegemony in the U.S. As such, these columns effectively rendered Amaechi's announcement as having little value in addressing homophobia in the sports/media complex.

This research examines the professional identities of sports television reporters at a regional sports network (RSN) in a major East Coast market. The ethnographic techniques of participant observation and interviews with these sports television news gatherers provide an in-depth look at the increasingly complex work facing sports journalists in this specific area of the sports-media complex. The study's findings reveal that women and African American sports television reporters working at this RSN said they are treated differently-even to an advantage-because of their gender and race. Such issues and developments reveal the sports television workplace as increasingly complicated and problematic for those working in it.

Drawing on a survey of sports broadcasters in top markets, the authors use the theoretical lens of privilege to examine career paths of white men, women, and racial minorities and their views about social identity as influential in their career success. Those most privileged by gender (male) and race (white) least often acknowledged it. They were also less likely to believe women and minorities faced discrimination. Women and racial minorities were more likely to view their social identity as a reason they were hired, suggesting they might view themselves as “quota hires.” The authors discuss the practical implications of the findings and provide suggestions for the profession and for further research.

This research examines the relationship between sports television reporters and producers and the corporate ownership of the regional sports network (RSN) where they are employed. Through the ethnographic techniques of participant observation and interviews with news gatherers at an RSN in a major East Coast market, I provide an in-depth look at the increasingly complex and difficult relationship between ownership and sports journalists in this specific area of the sports–media complex. The study’s findings reveal that sports television reporters and producers at this RSN must navigate an organizational setting that exerts a significant influence on their daily work. Such issues and developments reveal the sports television workplace as increasingly complicated and problematic for those working in it.