Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Jocks versus jockettes: An analysis of the visual portrayal of male and female cover models on sports magazines

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-18-2017

Abstract

There are known gender-based disparities in sports news coverage. However, few have examined how these disparities manifest in sports news visuals such as sports magazine covers. Therefore, this study examined pertinent dynamics among all covers published to date for both Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. The study examined sexualization, camera angle, and nonverbal communication cues and their interplay with gender. Women appearing on the covers were likelier than men to be portrayed in a sexualized manner, in terms of skin exposure and suggestive poses. Men were likelier to be portrayed in active poses, and the cover lines emphasized gender over athletic achievement for women. The results also indicate that women were more likely to be portrayed smiling, as well as being portrayed in more positive camera angle shots. The author discusses the ramifications of gendered portrayal regarding sports magazines.

Comments

© The Author(s) 2017

Publication Title

Journalism

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884917716818

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