Sport Communication
A Process Approach
(First Edition)
©2027, 352 pages
Paperback list price: $92.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $54.95
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Sport Communication: A Process Approach explores the communicative processes associated with sport, including its organization, enactment, production, and consumption. The textbook addresses topics such as family roles in sports participation, fan identity formation, media influence on public perceptions of sports, narrative construction in sports, and ethical challenges within the field.
The content is rooted in theoretical frameworks, featuring interactionist, critical, and functionalist theories. Each chapter features textboxes that spotlight the interplay between sports, power, and social identities, as well as modern communication theories relevant to sporting contexts. The book underscores the practical application of theoretical insights to real-world sport communication examples and occurrences, demonstrating the prevalence and impact of this type of communication.
Sport Communication is ideal for courses in communication studies, sports journalism, social media content creation, coaching, and sports management. Sport programs linked to kinesiology, sociology, or psychology would also benefit from the textbook.
The content is rooted in theoretical frameworks, featuring interactionist, critical, and functionalist theories. Each chapter features textboxes that spotlight the interplay between sports, power, and social identities, as well as modern communication theories relevant to sporting contexts. The book underscores the practical application of theoretical insights to real-world sport communication examples and occurrences, demonstrating the prevalence and impact of this type of communication.
Sport Communication is ideal for courses in communication studies, sports journalism, social media content creation, coaching, and sports management. Sport programs linked to kinesiology, sociology, or psychology would also benefit from the textbook.
Gregory A. Cranmer (Ph.D., West Virginia University) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Clemson University, a faculty fellow of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, and a research fellow of the U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport. His research focuses on interpersonal and organizational interactions in the context of sport.
Natalie Brown-Devlin (Ph.D., University of Alabama) is an associate professor in the Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations, the director of Texas Media and Analytics, and the associate director for research of the Center for Sports Communication and Media at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on crisis communication and digital media in the context of sport.
Lauren Reichart Smith (Ph.D., University of Alabama) is a professor and the director of research at the Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact at Rowan University. Her research explores sports media, media portrayals, athlete activism, and media psychology.
Other Cognella titles by Gregory A Cranmer:Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
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| $92.95 | Paperback 978-1-7935-5317-1 |
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Adopting instructors will receive test banks and PowerPoints.
"I’m excited about the book’s approach, as it focuses explicitly on moving students beyond their anecdotal experiences to connecting sport directly with communication theory. I also like the fact that the authors incorporate case studies and practitioner interviews. The book represents a viable alternative text for our class. [...] I like the examples utilized throughout … to explain key concepts and theories, including the Interviews with a Practitioner which reinforce many of the chapters’ key points. [...] I like the fact that the authors explain [in Chapter 1: An Introduction to Sport Communication] the history of the subfield, contextualizing sport communication research within three macro-theoretical perspectives. This primes students to begin thinking about the way(s) in which their thoughts about and experiences in sport relate to communication theory. [...] [Chapter 10: Portraying Identity in Sports Media] is particularly important and apropos for our course and students, as roughly 50% of our student body identify as student-athletes. No other text devotes time to this discussion."
Megan R. Hill, Department of Communication Studies, Albion College
"I think it is very engaging and for a freshmen or sophomore it sets up the definitions of sport, communication, their intersection and their influence in the U.S. nicely. […] This is definitely a solid book for introductory courses and would help weave some of the more advanced ideas I bring to my upper-divisional course. It definitely feels like a survey of the field and would entice students to explore more options in Sports Media. [...] The introductory chapter alone is very valuable and would do wonders for my freshmen to get a encompassing view of the program from the get-go. I think the authors did a really good job of telling the story of sports communication in that chapter."
Sean X. Ahern, Communication Arts Department, Wayne State College
"The authors did a wonderful job capturing my attention with this information and I think that students will also be captivated by this introduction. […] I appreciated the diverse perspectives and topics. This allows for a variety of class discussions and course assignments and activities. [...] The interactionist framework was apparent and well executed throughout the selected chapters. […] These topics appear to be updated and related to the current trends in the industry. [...] I think that the students will enjoy reading the textbook because there were new perspectives and information presented within the book."
Natasha Ferguson Dennison, School of Education, Department of Sport Management, Claflin University
"Many textbooks simply state concepts but do not tie them together as the authors do here. […] [The book] does a wonderful job of outlining the importance of sport communication and how it is larger than reporting on sports. [...] The information presented is different from most textbooks. I think this is a strength of the textbook. I believe the social viewpoint is unique and helpful. Lastly, the book caters to coaches, athletes, administrators, and communicators in sport."
LaJuan A. Hutchinson, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Department of Kinesiology, University of West Alabama
"This appears to be a solid foundation for the broad approach to this context. This looks to be clear-cut and useful for those who are COM majors, minors, or external majors. I think this is realistic to the course I teach as it covers the primary areas I seek to address. […] The integration of theory throughout helped emphasize that theory does guide our research and interpretations."
Katie Neary Dunleavy, Department of Communication, La Salle University
"I appreciate [the book’s approach]. I like that they are taking on a broader approach, including psychology and sociological theories. I think the book will be beneficial for many students, beyond just com majors. I could see sport marketing, sport psychology, and even fields like physical therapy finding this useful. The organization makes sense and it seems like it flows smoothly and makes sense. [...] I love the examples from diverse sports and applications of these concepts. […] [The book] was easy to read, well organized, solid research. [The authors] bring in theories from several disciplines but still frame everything in communication."
Rich Murphy, School of Business, McKendree University
"I’m impressed by the approach, especially the focus on theoretical rigor. […] There is a strong representation of diverse perspectives, methodologies, and topics as the book covers a ton of ground. […] The high-profile examples were on point and [the book] does a good job of applying theories to real-world scenarios. [...] The identity theory and self-presentation theories [in Ch. 10: Portraying Identity in Sports Media] were fantastic and provided great foundation work for how an athlete’s image is created. The five ways an identity is presented by an athlete was an excellent break down with perfect examples and graphics. [...] I’m really impressed by the level of detail and research that has gone into this project. I can feel the dedication and focus on providing a thorough and enjoyable educational experience."
Livis James Freeman, Jr., Hussman School of Journalism and Media, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Megan R. Hill, Department of Communication Studies, Albion College
"I think it is very engaging and for a freshmen or sophomore it sets up the definitions of sport, communication, their intersection and their influence in the U.S. nicely. […] This is definitely a solid book for introductory courses and would help weave some of the more advanced ideas I bring to my upper-divisional course. It definitely feels like a survey of the field and would entice students to explore more options in Sports Media. [...] The introductory chapter alone is very valuable and would do wonders for my freshmen to get a encompassing view of the program from the get-go. I think the authors did a really good job of telling the story of sports communication in that chapter."
Sean X. Ahern, Communication Arts Department, Wayne State College
"The authors did a wonderful job capturing my attention with this information and I think that students will also be captivated by this introduction. […] I appreciated the diverse perspectives and topics. This allows for a variety of class discussions and course assignments and activities. [...] The interactionist framework was apparent and well executed throughout the selected chapters. […] These topics appear to be updated and related to the current trends in the industry. [...] I think that the students will enjoy reading the textbook because there were new perspectives and information presented within the book."
Natasha Ferguson Dennison, School of Education, Department of Sport Management, Claflin University
"Many textbooks simply state concepts but do not tie them together as the authors do here. […] [The book] does a wonderful job of outlining the importance of sport communication and how it is larger than reporting on sports. [...] The information presented is different from most textbooks. I think this is a strength of the textbook. I believe the social viewpoint is unique and helpful. Lastly, the book caters to coaches, athletes, administrators, and communicators in sport."
LaJuan A. Hutchinson, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Department of Kinesiology, University of West Alabama
"This appears to be a solid foundation for the broad approach to this context. This looks to be clear-cut and useful for those who are COM majors, minors, or external majors. I think this is realistic to the course I teach as it covers the primary areas I seek to address. […] The integration of theory throughout helped emphasize that theory does guide our research and interpretations."
Katie Neary Dunleavy, Department of Communication, La Salle University
"I appreciate [the book’s approach]. I like that they are taking on a broader approach, including psychology and sociological theories. I think the book will be beneficial for many students, beyond just com majors. I could see sport marketing, sport psychology, and even fields like physical therapy finding this useful. The organization makes sense and it seems like it flows smoothly and makes sense. [...] I love the examples from diverse sports and applications of these concepts. […] [The book] was easy to read, well organized, solid research. [The authors] bring in theories from several disciplines but still frame everything in communication."
Rich Murphy, School of Business, McKendree University
"I’m impressed by the approach, especially the focus on theoretical rigor. […] There is a strong representation of diverse perspectives, methodologies, and topics as the book covers a ton of ground. […] The high-profile examples were on point and [the book] does a good job of applying theories to real-world scenarios. [...] The identity theory and self-presentation theories [in Ch. 10: Portraying Identity in Sports Media] were fantastic and provided great foundation work for how an athlete’s image is created. The five ways an identity is presented by an athlete was an excellent break down with perfect examples and graphics. [...] I’m really impressed by the level of detail and research that has gone into this project. I can feel the dedication and focus on providing a thorough and enjoyable educational experience."
Livis James Freeman, Jr., Hussman School of Journalism and Media, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
