Research from Dr Brigid McCarthy has examined the role of ageism in media coverage of professional sportswomen.
“Despite discussion of age being a routine and influential element of meaning-making in sports journalism, it remains significantly under-examined. What does exist has focused largely on male sports stars,” she explains.
To address this, Dr McCarthy examined coverage of Diana Taurasi, a 40-year-old WNBA star, during her final season.
Her study found that media coverage of Taurasi’s season produced a form of gendered ageism by simultaneously celebrating and diminishing older sportswomen.
“The coverage framed Taurasi through conflicting narratives of exceptionalism and decline, and as a presence that must be justified, contained or replaced,” she says.
“I also found that coverage amplified social media discourse of intergenerational rivalry, which cast Taurasi and older players as jealous and taking opportunities from incoming star players.”
Dr McCarthy says the research shows how sports media can actively shape cultural understandings of ageing.
“It also highlights a need to investigate how emerging storytelling practices, particularly the use of social media content in journalism, may contribute to harmful discourse and online abuse directed at women athletes.”
Dr McCarthy’s next step will be to expand her research to investigate how gendered ageism might manifest in other sports.
