Sport Media Measurement Haikus

 

Television Audience Measurement (TAM)
Counting all the eyes,
From radio to live streams,
Sports ratings come alive.

Media Rights
Rights to show the games,
Forty to sixty percent,
Revenue flows in streams.

Analogue Broadcasting
Old signals in play,
Tradition on the screen shines,
Fading with the day.

Digitalisation
Shift from old to new,
Tech transforms the game we watch,
Digital’s the view.

Over-the-Top (OTT) Platforms
Streaming through the net,
Cutting cords, the future's bright,
Media's new duet.

Ephemeral Nature of Sport
Moments come and go,
Live thrills wrapped in quick replays,
Time’s game, fast and slow.

Information Asymmetry
Data in their hands,
Platforms know us better now,
Trust is in demand.

Audience Measurement
Count the hearts and eyes,
From radio to today,
Viewers' lives quantified.

Commodification of Audiences
We’re numbers on screens,
Measured, traded, sold like goods,
In this media dream.

Ratings
Size of the crowd's pulse,
Currency in the spotlight,
Viewers’ voices call.

Audience Turnover, Flow, Recycled
Shifting through the shows,
Tracking how we dance between,
Programs come and go.

Sampling
Small groups tell the tale,
Voices of the many heard,
Insights from the few.

Response Bias
Data’s skewed by us,
When we share our viewing likes,
Truth can sometimes hide.

Non-linear Media Consumption
Watch at any time,
Flexibility’s the key now,
No more fixed timelines.

Symbiotic Relationship
Media and sports,
Together they thrive and grow,
A dance of success.

Fragmenting Media Environment
Scattered screens abound,
Viewers split among the streams,
Old ways fade away.

Subscriber-based Platforms
Pay for what you watch,
Revenue from loyal fans,
Ads take second stage.

Digital Platforms
New ways to consume,
Streaming dreams and social shares,
Content on the move.

Old vs. New Ecosystem
Tradition clashes,
Old live shows meet new streams now,
Ecosystems change.

Creative Disruption
Innovate the game,
New tech shakes the way we watch,
Engagement reclaims.

Pay-per-View Models
One fee for the thrill,
Exclusive access unfolds,
Events live and real.

Vertical Integration
Control the whole chain,
From creation to the screen,
Leagues now lead the game.

Non-Linear Consumption
Watch when you want, friend,
Breaking from the rigid mold,
Content never ends.

Disruption
Shifting how we play,
Old ways yield to new formats,
Change is here to stay.

Fragmented Viewing
Across many screens,
Viewing habits intertwine,
Complexity reigns.

Digital Sport Platforms
Live streams, highlights shared,
Changing how we watch the games,
New metrics declared.

Stream Consumption
Views stack high and wide,
Counting clicks and watch times now,
Streaming's vast domain.

Time-Shifted Viewing
Catch it later, friend,
On-demand fits our own time,
Schedules bend and blend.

Viewer Minutes
Time spent on each show,
Engagement adds up in counts,
Metrics tell the tale.

Split-Screen Functionality
Watch it all at once,
Multiple streams in your gaze,
Engagement redefined.

Attention Minutes
Time with eyes on screens,
Measured moments of our love,
Engagement in dreams.

On-Demand Consumption
Content at your will,
Watch it when you want, my friend,
Flexibility’s thrill.

Collective Viewing
Once we gathered close,
Now alone in our own space,
Sharing screens and hearts.

Consumer Behavior
What makes us click play?
Patterns in our habits shine,
Insights pave the way.

First-Party Data
Direct from the source,
Data tells our story true,
Control in our hands.

Third-Party Cookies
Tracking through the net,
Phasing out the old ways now,
Change is on the rise.

Algorithmic Customization
Tailored just for you,
Algorithms craft your stream,
Experience anew.

Granular Measurement
Details shape the view,
Understanding users well,
Content made for you.

Content Curation
Select, arrange, share,
Content shaped for every eye,
Engagement’s the aim.

Commodification of Audiences
Audiences as goods,
Reduced to data points now,
Profit takes the stage.

Short-Form Content
Quick hits on the go,
Bites of joy in every click,
Snackable delight.

Freemium Model
Basic free to start,
Premium for the good stuff,
Choice is in your heart.

Click-Through Advertising
Click the ad, you’ll see,
Directing traffic your way,
Digital's new spree.

Virtual Advertising Models
Blend brands with the show,
Integrate with style and flair,
Viewer's gaze will grow.

Immersive Technologies
Experience the blend,
Digital and real collide,
Interactive end.

Real-Time Markets
Transactions that flow,
Based on data right away,
Insights in the now.

Metricised
Quantifying life,
Measuring our every move,
Data tells the tale.

Highlights Content
Key moments arise,
Shining bright in edited clips,
Engage without time.

Channel Preference
Choose what you consume,
Specific tastes shape our paths,
Media to bloom.

Quantify
Measure every glance,
Understanding who we are,
Numbers dance in chance.

Data Ownership
Hold your info tight,
Rights to data in your hands,
Control is the light.

Inter-Organizational Relationships
Networks intertwine,
Collaboration takes flight,
Sharing paths to shine.

Subscription Media Platforms
Pay to watch the thrill,
Access locked behind a gate,
Content’s value spills.

Audience Currency
New metrics take shape,
Evaluating engagement,
Changing how we rate.

Content Strategy
Plan the path ahead,
Maximize our reach and ties,
Engagement is bred.

Data Science Practices
Tools to decode life,
Analyzing complex sets,
Insights bring us light.

Innovation in Sport Media
New forms hit the scene,
Changing how we view our games,
Media's fresh sheen.

Sport-Television Relationship Model
Dynamics at play,
Sports and screens in harmony,
A model for change.

Digital Paradigm
Digital’s the norm,
New platforms shift our focus,
Old ways face the storm.

Total Sport Audiences
All fans on the screens,
Measuring every heartbeat,
Sports' reach, vast and keen.

Principal-Agent Theory
Trust between the lines,
Who makes the calls, who responds,
Sports and media.

Inter-Organisational Relationships
Links between the teams,
Collab and compete in stride,
Together we rise.

Demand Theory
Price and wants align,
Study how we choose and buy,
Market’s dance refined.

Sport Consumer Behaviour
How we engage, friend,
With sports content in our lives,
Patterns guide the trend.

Fujak, H., Karg, A., & Whitburn, D. (2024). Sport media has an audience measurement problem. European Sport Management Quarterly, 24(3), 582-602.

Fan Loyalty and Merchandise Sales

In the world of sports marketing, understanding what drives fans to buy team-licensed merchandise and sponsor products is crucial for clubs and their sponsors. FC Barcelona (FCB), renowned for its member-based ownership model, offers unique insights into this phenomenon. While private ownership is common among major European soccer clubs, FCB stands out with its democratic structure, allowing members to have a significant say in club decisions. This participative model not only fosters a strong sense of psychological ownership but also impacts members' loyalty and spending behaviors.

Research has shown that psychological ownership—where fans feel a deep connection and sense of control over the club—plays a critical role in influencing their purchase intentions. For FCB members, this feeling of ownership significantly outweighs the impact of mere team identification. This is a game-changer for sports marketers, highlighting the need to focus on fostering psychological ownership through promotional strategies.

FCB's commitment to its members and Catalan identity further amplifies this effect. By enhancing match experiences, supporting travel, improving social spaces, and boosting fan activities, FCB can deepen this sense of ownership and drive merchandise sales. The club's alignment with Catalonia's social, political, and economic context also plays a pivotal role in strengthening members' emotional bonds.

Looking ahead, future research should explore how these findings apply to other clubs with similar member-based structures or previously held such structures before major investments. By expanding the scope to include different clubs and broader member samples, we can better understand the dynamics of fan loyalty and its impact on purchasing behaviors.

For sports managers and marketers, embracing these insights means crafting strategies that not only highlight the pride of ownership but also resonate with the unique cultural and organizational contexts of their clubs. This approach promises not only increased sales but also stronger, more engaged fan communities.

Palau-Saumell, R., Matute, J., & Forgas-Coll, S. (2022). The roles of team identification and psychological ownership in fans’ intentions to purchase team-licensed and a sponsor’s products: The case of FC Barcelona members. Sport Management Review, 25(5), 791-819.

Justice and Responsibility in Sport Organiations

Understanding Justice and Responsibility in Sport Organizations: A Call for Shared Responsibility

When we think about justice and responsibility in sports, our focus often lands on the roles of decision-makers and leaders. Discussions typically revolve around concepts like organizational justice, diversity management, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). These frameworks analyze how fairness and equity are handled within sport organizations, from how resources are distributed to how diverse workforces are treated. Generally, the responsibility for ensuring justice falls on the shoulders of managers and leaders. However, CSR extends this responsibility to the broader community, involving everyone from consumers to employees.

Yet, CSR often stops short of fostering a sense of shared responsibility among all stakeholders. The idea of shared responsibility—rooted in the interconnectedness of entities within cooperative and competitive systems—suggests that addressing systemic issues requires acknowledging and acting on our connections to both internal and external stakeholders. This concept is particularly relevant for tackling harm and injustice in sports, where entrenched cultural norms and institutional practices can perpetuate power imbalances and inequality.

Consider the case of the Penn State University football program, where hierarchical power dynamics allowed Jerry Sandusky's sexual misconduct to continue unchecked for years. This situation underscores the need for a model of shared responsibility that extends the duty to address harm to everyone involved in sport institutions. In such cases, ignorance and vulnerability are not just incidental; they are integral to maintaining an unjust system.

Ignorance and Vulnerability: The Unseen Forces

Ignorance in sport organizations isn’t just about lacking knowledge—it's a socially constructed tool used to maintain control and suppress dissent. It can distort knowledge acquisition and perpetuate oppressive power dynamics. Forms of ignorance, from passive disregard to strategic concealment, help uphold unjust systems. For instance, in sports, protecting a program's reputation often takes precedence over addressing issues like abuse and violence. This form of ignorance, promoted by oppressive structures, leads to various forms of harm.

Similarly, vulnerability in sports is often misunderstood. It's not merely about being exposed to harm but is shaped by societal inequities and power dynamics. Vulnerability varies in degree based on factors like likelihood and magnitude of threats, and it's exacerbated by oppressive environments that prioritize performance over participant well-being. Understanding vulnerability as "openness to being affected and altered" can help challenge and dismantle oppressive structures. However, it can also reinforce these structures if not addressed properly.

The Case for Shared Responsibility

Responsibility for injustices within hierarchical structures, such as those seen in the NFL’s handling of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), should not fall solely on one individual or entity. The concept of shared responsibility emphasizes that everyone involved—players, coaches, spectators, and consumers—shares a role in addressing and mitigating harm. This collective approach is essential for creating a safer and more equitable sporting environment.

The traditional focus on liability often misses the broader picture. Legal and moral frameworks might assign blame to specific entities, but they frequently overlook the systemic issues that perpetuate injustice. Instead, a social connection model of responsibility suggests that no single entity should bear the full weight of responsibility. Rather, all stakeholders within a system that perpetuates injustice share a degree of responsibility.

Educational Programs and Cultural Shifts

Education is a powerful tool for addressing and preventing harm in sports. Comprehensive programs targeting players, coaches, parents, and other stakeholders are essential for improving injury management and prevention. Historically, abuse and violence in sports have been ignored due to institutional norms prioritizing performance and program protection. This has led to individual blame rather than addressing systemic issues.

Cultural norms within sports—such as aggression and hypermasculinity—often discourage athletes from disclosing abuse and perpetuate a "culture of silence." To break this cycle, sport management researchers and practitioners need to critically examine processes and policies, ensuring an athlete-centered approach that prioritizes well-being over performance.

Towards a Safer Sporting Environment

The proposed conceptual model argues that power imbalances and structural injustices in sports lead to ignorance, vulnerability, and harm. By adopting a perspective of shared responsibility, athletes, parents, coaches, educators, and administrators can challenge these injustices and improve safety in sport. This shift involves questioning harmful norms, prioritizing athlete well-being, and promoting shared responsibility across various stakeholders.

Sport organizations must balance profit with morality and safety. Shared responsibility can enhance relationships, improve public image, and underscore the broader social impact of sports. Effective change requires a cultural shift within sport organizations—one that aligns norms and practices with moral acceptability and addresses issues like concussions with seriousness and integrity.

In conclusion, acknowledging and addressing ignorance, vulnerability, and responsibility are crucial steps toward creating a safer, more equitable sporting environment. By embracing shared responsibility, the sports community can work together to challenge and dismantle harmful structures, ensuring the well-being of all participants.

Sartore-Baldwin, M. L., McCullough, B., & Quatman-Yates, C. (2017). Shared responsibility and issues of injustice and harm within sport. Quest, 69(3), 366-383.

This summary is © by Claudia Benavides-Espinoza

Special Olympics & S.O. Arkansas

All, what a wonderful discussion and presentation we had today in Sports in Society. Well done everyone! Here are the resources that were passed around (see photo) as well as the video of our presenters and Cash's presentation on injuries. When we hear all this, what comes to mind on how we can apply this information to Sport Management? How do you plan on using this information on your professional development? Do any other Sport Management opportunities open up when listening to and of the presenters?  

Newman, B., Fidge, J., Haskins, A., Holt, C., & Dexter, W. (2022). Injury trends in special olympic athletes from the 2018 USA games. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 32(6), 620-922. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000001033

Check out Cash's slides here.