Sport Media, across mediums and sports are describing athletes with attributes that perpetuate stereotypes

1. IS SPORTS MEDIA
CONTRIBUTING TO
RACIAL STEREOTYPES?
MEDIA BIAS IN DESCRIBING BLACK AND WHITE ATHLETES-
IT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM!

2. TYPES OF DESCRIPTORS BY THE SPORTS MEDIA: TWO
TYPES
Based on the research over 3 years, of 800 athletes and over 4000
descriptors Across Mediums, and Multiple Media Outlets. Typically you can
group these descriptors used by the media into two categories
The Mental
• Mental attributes
• Character attributes
• Personality attributes
The Physical
• Physical attributes
• Animal Attributes
• Mechanical Attributes
• Supernatural Attributes

3. RESULTS: WHITE CAUCASIAN SPORTS MEDIA
DESCRIBING WHITE ATHLETES ACROSS MEDIUMS
PERCENTAGES
Mental descriptors: 63% Physical descriptors: 37%

4. RESULTS: AFRICAN AMERICAN SPORTS MEDIA
DESCRIBING WHITE ATHLETES ACROSS MEDIUMS
PERCENTAGES
Mental descriptors: 62% Physical descriptors: 38%

5. RESULTS: WHITE CAUCASIAN SPORTS MEDIA
DESCRIBING BLACK ATHLETES ACROSS MEDIUMS
PERCENTAGES
Mental descriptors: 22% Physical descriptors: 78%

6. RESULTS: BLACK SPORTS MEDIA DESCRIBING BLACK
ATHLETES ACROSS MEDIUMS PERCENTAGES
Mental descriptors: 39% Physical descriptors: 61%

7. BROADCASTED AND WRITTEN BIAS ASSUMPTIONS
PORTRAYED BY THE SPORTS MEDIA IN ALL MEDUIMS
White athletes success is
attributed to:
• Character attributes
• Personality attributes
• Mental Attributes

8. TYPICAL DESCRIPTORS PORTRAYED IN THE SPORTS
MEDIA OF CAUCASIAN ATHLETES
Described as: Heady, Smart, Intelligent,
dependable, Steady, Tough, Hard-working,
Leader, Crafty, Clever, Determined,
Advanced, Durable, Slick, Versatile,
Relentless, Resourceful, Courageous, Aware,
Having Character, & Competitive.
62% majority of content are mental
attributes

9. BROADCASTED AND WRITTEN BIAS ASSUMPTIONS
PORTRAYED BY THE SPORTS MEDIA IN ALL MEDUIMS
Afro-American athletes success is
attributed to their physical attributes
primarily by the media
The Physical
̈ Physical attributes
̈ Animalistic attributes
̈ Supernatural attributes
̈ Mechanical/Machine attributes

10. TYPICAL DESCRIPTORS PORTRAYED IN THE MEDIA OF
BLACK ATHLETES
Described as: An animal, a monster, fast,
quick, super-human, agile, freak, talented,
gifted, a natural, strong, powerful, big, a
missile, a torpedo, a beast, athletic,
muscular, wide, speedy, explosive, terrifying,
scary, big, massive, and huge, etc.
78% majority of the content described
by physical attributes

11. SAFE TO ASSERT
IT IS SAFE TO ASSERT THAT ALL OF
THESE PLAYERS ARE ATHLETIC AND
SMART & SHOULD BE DESCRIBED AS
SUCH.
THE MEDIA SHOULD HAVE AWARENESS OF
HOW THEY DESCRIBE THESE ATHLETES,
THEIR POTENTIAL BIAS, AND DIVERSIFY
THEIR COMMENTARIES WHEN DESCRIBING
ATHLETES
As Americans are exposed and have access
to sports media in all mediums. The sports
media influences how athletes are
perceived socially in society and influences
behavior and stereotypes