‘At this point, I have no idea’

Determining a sports journalist in the 2020s

Bibliographic Data

ID21719085
AuthorsPatrick Ferrucci (0000-0002-4535-0210, University of Colorado, corresponding author), Ever Josue Figueroa (0000-0002-6202-0467, University of Colorado Boulder), Ever Figueroa (University of Colorado)
Year2026
Volume27
Issue3
Pages545-562
Publication date2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1464-8849 • E-ISSN: 1741-3001
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14648849251335294
OpenAlexW4409451627
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited53

This study utilizes interviews with 37 full-time, professional sports journalists to understand how they construct their identity. With social identity theory as a framework, the study found that access, organizational backing, and role conception represent characteristics essential to being a sports journalist (the in-group). While the journalists also identified what they considered business reporters, social media personalities, and non-objective analysts as characteristics that, in some cases, exclude persons from calling themselves sports journalists (the out-group). These results are then interpreted through the framework of social identity theory, boundary work and professional identity

Computer Science · Mathematics · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Sports, Gender, and Society

Tools

Open DOI