Athlete activism and attendance behavior in the National Football League

Watanabe, Nicholas M.; Yan, Grace; Soebbing, Brian P.

doi:10.1080/16184742.2023.2189282

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…With increasing evidence of athletes challenging their employers, these conflicts can erode legitimacy among athletes, fans and organizational members (Watanabe et al ., 2023). Current and future leaders must be aware of strategies that appear to address but, in reality, reproduce inequities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Racialized organizations, strategies, and structures: a case study

Macaulay,

Keaton

2024

SBM

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PurposeThis paper explores organization-level racialized work strategies for maintaining racialized organizations (Ray, 2019). It focuses on intentional actions to maintain dominant racial norms, demonstrating how work strategies are informed by dominant racial structures that maintain racial inequities.Design/methodology/approachWe compiled a chronological case study (Yin, 2012) based on 168 news media articles and various organizational documents to examine responses to athlete protests at the University of Texas at Austin following the death of George Floyd. Gioia et al.’s (2013) method uncovered how dominant racial norms inform organizational behaviors.FindingsThe paper challenges institutional theory neutrality and identifies several racialized work strategies that organizations employ to maintain racialized norms and practices. The findings provide a framework for organizations to interrogate their strategies and their role in reproducing dominant racial norms and inequities.Originality/valueIn 2020, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was reinvigorated within sporting and corporate domains. However, many organizations engaged in performativity, sparking criticism about meaningful change in organizational contexts. Our case study examines how one organization responded to athlete activists’ BLM-fueled demands, revealing specific racialized work strategies that maintain structures of racism. As organizations worldwide disrupt and discuss oppressive structures such as racism, we demonstrate how organizational leadership, while aware of policies and practices of racism, may choose not to act and actively maintain such structures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Racialized organizations, strategies, and structures: a case study

Macaulay,

Keaton

2024

SBM

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“…While many companies are embracing social issues such as climate change, they should be aware that the social positions advocated by celebrities they are affiliated with reflect on the company as well. As Watanabe et al (2023) demonstrated, there is likelihood that these messages could negatively impact consumer behaviors. While Nike has maintained relationships with many athletes who have made pro-social statements in line with the company's projected values, when a celebrity spokesperson advocates for social positions that are not in line with the company's values, partnerships do end (such as Kanye West losing his partnership with Adidas and Kyrie Irving losing his partnership with Nike both for their anti-semitic statements).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Past research suggests athlete activism can have an impact on brand perception. Athlete activism was linked with NFL fan attendance dropping in 2016–2017 during the height of the racial justice kneeling protest movement by NFL players (Watanabe et al ., 2023). The Kaepernick kneeling protest example is particularly illuminating.…”

Section: Endorsements Meet Activismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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When celebrity endorsements collide with social activism: exploring athlete celebrity endorsements, social issues and brand perception

Schartel Dunn,

Nisbett

2023

IJSMS

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PurposeCelebrity endorsements are common, especially sports celebrities. Understanding the impact such celebrities' social activism statements have on the brands the celebrities are affiliated with is particularly important. This study aims to examine how consumers respond to social statements made by both companies and sports celebrities and how those reactions influence consumer perceptions of associated brands.Design/methodology/approachA pre-test/post-test experimental design was utilized to gather responses to pro-social messages from both athletes associated with a brand and messages directly from the brands.FindingsMessages from celebrities were evaluated as being more important than similar messages directly from the company. Parasocial relationships between the consumer and the celebrity endorser were found to increase brand support and favorable message evaluation. While parasocial relationships did not directly influence feelings of reactance, the effects on message evaluation did lead to a decrease in reactance to pro-social messages.Originality/valueFindings in this paper provide guidance for brands as the brands navigate pro-social messaging and determine the brands' response to endorsers making such statements. Similarly, those advocating for social causes can benefit from the authors' findings by understanding how social messages directly from celebrities are received more favorably than messages directly from the brands.

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Athletes Self-Presentation in the Media: Crisis or Potential?

Sanderson

2024

Psychology of Crises in Sport

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Athlete activism and attendance behavior in the National Football League

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Racialized organizations, strategies, and structures: a case study

Racialized organizations, strategies, and structures: a case study

When celebrity endorsements collide with social activism: exploring athlete celebrity endorsements, social issues and brand perception

Athletes Self-Presentation in the Media: Crisis or Potential?

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