13 Communication in the Sport Industry C H A P T E R G. Clayton Stoldt, Wichita State University Stephen W. Dittmore, University of Arkansas Paul M. Pedersen, Indiana University Chapter 13

Sport Communication Prominent and exciting aspect of sport management Includes myriad actions and activities A process by which people in sport, in a sport setting, or through a sport endeavor share symbols as they create meaning through interaction

Theoretical Framework of Sport Communication Genres Context Process Elements Effects

Elements in Communication Process Sender Message Channel through which message is delivered Receiver

Communication Models Shannon and Weaver added encoding and decoding to the process Schramm Added element of feedback Argued that for communication to exist, sender and receiver must share something: common language, vocabulary, or interest and understanding

Effects The effect communication has on parties involved in an interaction Theories of mass media effects Uses and gratification Agenda setting Innovation Diffusion of information Modeling and cultivation

Strategic Sport Communication Model (SSCM) Provides a framework for interaction between communication dynamics and settings Elements Sport communication process Personal and organizational communication in sport Sport mass media Sport communication services and support

Figure 13.1

Personal and Organizational Communication SSCM component I Personal sport communication: intra- and interpersonal and small group Organizational sport communication: intra- and interorganizational Communication skills

Sport Mass Media SSCM component II Publishing and print communication Electronic and visual communication New media; International Sidebar: Realmadrid.com

Table 13.1

Sport Communication Services and Support SSCM component III Advertising Public relations and crisis communication Research

Sport Public Relations Models of public relations practice One-way models Two-way models

Media Relations in Sport What media relations specialists do Writing news releases Planning news conferences Managing the press box Careers in media relations Professional profile: Larry Rankin

Community Relations (CR) in Sport What CR professionals do Careers in CR Professional profile: Aprile Pritchet

Various PR Positions Corporate communications Creative specialists Employee and volunteer relations Web site manager  PR jobs focusing on relations with donors, government, and various governing bodies

Practical Application Critical thinking in sport communication Ethics in sport communication Ethical issues in media relations Ethical issues in community relations

Three Review Questions Why is communication a critical concern to all sport managers whether they are communication specialists or not? What are the elements of the SSCM? What kinds of career opportunities pertain to the various elements? Describe the work of sport media relations professionals. What sorts of tasks are part of their job descriptions?