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To inform the development of culturally and socially appropriate interventions, this study examined the lived experiences of Black female college athletes (BFCAs) and identified sources that increase their vulnerability to anxiety. Black Feminist Thought, with sub-tenets of intersectionality and outsider within status, was used as the theoretical foundation to examine the lives of the BFCAs. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, this qualitative study addressed the question: What sociocultural factors affect anxiety in Black female college athletes? Nine Black female college athletes from an NCAA Division I program agreed to participate in this study. Regarding the sources of anxiety, four themes emerged: regimented schedule (subthemes: lack of freedom, decreased choices, and external locus), forced community (subthemes: isolation and team conflict), emphasis on athletics (subthemes: coaching pressures, training pressures, and academic pressures) and navigating marginalization (subthemes: gender and racial stereotypes and gender and racial inequality). Two unexpected themes also materialized: family support and suggested solutions (subthemes: representation and communication). The findings and analysis were based on the data collected and the theoretical lens. The results suggest the need for culturally appropriate interventions to support this specific college athlete population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how spectators perceived athletes with disabilities when the spectators were aware of the disabilities versus when the spectators were unaware. A 10-minute video of a deaf collegiate basketball team (Gallaudet University) playing against a hearing collegiate basketball team (Wilkes University) was used as a means to collect data. Approximately half of the participants were informed that the players for Gallaudet were deaf while the other participants were not. Participants who were informed of the Gallaudet players' impairment viewed the Gallaudet players as exhibiting better communication and teamwork, being more athletic and skillful, being more inspirational, and participants were more interested in attending a Gallaudet game. Keywords: deaf sport; spectator perspective; supercrip image, People with disabilities have long since been perceived with a negative stigma. They are often seen as incapable and unworthy; regarded with pity and low expectations. Reactions change, however, towards [...]

In this study, the researchers explored the perspectives of recreational practitioners currently working in the field of outdoor adventure programming on college campuses and their knowledge and interactions with students with disabilities participating in integrated outdoor adventure activities. A qualitative descriptive thematic analysis was used for data collection, management, and assessment. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 professionals working in the field of collegiate outdoor adventure (outdoor recreation). Three themes and 16 categories were identified, which reflected the contemporary perspectives of the interviewed respondents. The themes identified were incomplete knowledge, positive outlook, and student success. The sample for this study consisted of two women and eight men. The findings show that the themes adequately address the research question pertaining to the lack of integrated outdoor adventure programming on college campuses.

With the emerging trend of technological advancement in sport media production, sport analytics has provided fan-oriented game contents through multimedia platforms. This study aims to empirically investigate sport fans' perceptions toward sport analytics contents (i.e., statistics, video, data visualization, decision-aid) by exploring their impact on fan engagement (i.e., information, entertainment, personal identity, social interaction) and employing the uses and gratifications theory. Using multiple regressions, this study found that sport fans are more likely to consume statistics and video contents for information search and entertainment. Moreover, data visualization and decision-aid contents showed a positive impact on subjects' personal identity and social interaction. The present study highlights key aspects of sport analytics in its application to sport media production as well as sport management at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research notes that disability sport can be expensive, and finances are a limiting factor when examining participation rates. However, no research to date addresses the financial investment to participate in competitive disability sports or how these athletes and their teams finance participation. Therefore, there are two distinct purposes of this study: (1) to identify the economic investment and time commitment needed to fund-raise for wheelchair rugby and (2) to determine how teams and individuals fund wheelchair rugby. Results indicate that wheelchair rugby athletes and their teams fund sport participation through large-scale sponsorships, fund-raisers, and small-scale sponsorships. Additionally, athletes self-pay a substantial portion of their expenses, creating an exclusive level for participation given that wheelchair users are statistically more economically disadvantaged. Finally, some teams are effectively engaging in social media and website use to generate revenue for sport participation, but a substantive portion lacks a sophisticated electronic based marketing plan. Keywords: disability sport; sponsorship; sport marketing; wheelchair rugby, Background Wheelchair rugby is a full-contact sport that provides for outstanding crashes and impressive hits (Eleftheriou, 2005); however, it offers much more than solely entertainment. For the athletes who have [...]

This study examined factors surrounding the development and advancement of campus intramural programming for college students with physical disabilities. Campus recreation staff from 164 universities completed a survey examining campus programming for students with and without physical disabilities, marketing, modifications, barriers, needs, and strategies for developing adapted and inclusive intramural sports programming. Weight training, cardiovascular training, and personal training were among the most reported programming designed to include students with physical disabilities. Wheelchair basketball is among the longest-running intramural programs with sitting volleyball, goalball, and beep baseball increasing in popularity. Environmental and equipment accessibility was a predominant strategy and accommodation to facilitate inclusive programming, with the primary reason for not including adapted or inclusive intramural programming attributed to lack of request or too few students with physical disabilities on campus. Additional results and discussion address best practices and recommendations to initiate and improve programming for students with physical disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer behavior studies in the context of sports have been used to examine (a) why subjects consume a sport (Funk, Mahony, & Ridinger, 2002; Wann, Grieve, Zapalac, & Pease, 2008); (b) the process of market segmentation such as examination of consumption by way of sex (Trail, Robinson, & Kim, 2008), gender (Wann & Waddill, 2003), single game attendees and season ticket holders (Funk, Ridinger, & Moorman, 2003); and (c) influence on intended future consumption behavior (e.g., Andrew, Kim, O'Neal, Greenwell, & James, 2009; By on et al., 2011; Byon et al. 2010). To date, most research in this area has neglected the disability sport context. The purpose of this study is to utilize the only existing disability sport scale, the Motivation Scale for Disability Sport Consumption (MSDSC; Cottingham et al., 2012), to identify the motives salient in predicting intended future consumption behaviors, specifically repatronage intentions, future media consumption, and future merchandise purchases. Data were collected form 470 spectators at the Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball Championships held in Arlington Texas. Three multiple regression analyses were conducted, to determine the significance of each of the factors identified in the MSDSC in predicting the outcome variables of repatronage intentions, intended merchandise consumption, and intended media consumption. Results indicated that four motives were significant predictors of all three outcome variables, specifically, acquisition of knowledge, escape, physical skill and social interaction. This research will directly benefit practitioners, such as disability sport organizations, who are interested in expanding their marketing base yet lack the resources for formal marketing departments (IPC, 2010)., Miles Thompson, head coach of the University of Alabama wheelchair basketball team, stated that 'the biggest reason we don't have enough [collegiate wheelchair basketball] teams are budgetary constraints' (personal communication, [...]

While research exists on the marketing of disability sport (Byon, Carroll, Cottingham, Grady, & Allen, 2011), researchers have not yet examined disability sport executives' perspectives on marketing, promotion, and sponsorship. The purpose of this study was to examine three disability sport (i.e., International Wheelchair Rugby Federation, International Tennis Federation, and United States Tennis Association) executives' perspectives of sport marketability and the acquisition of sponsors. Key findings include executives' mixed-support for webcasting, television coverage, and the need to develop strategic partnerships and effective implementation of traditional sponsorship (e.g., corporate social responsibility and specific product sponsorship). Notwithstanding some reservations, executives also stated that presenting athletes with disabilities as inspirational would likely benefit visibility and market share., Introduction The perspectives of disability sport practitioners such as promoters and coaches have been of significant interest to researchers. For example, Van Der Ploeg, Van Der Beek, Van Der Woude, [...]

Brand extension is a valuable strategic device for firms to expand their business spectrum beyond their original brands or product categories as well as to enhance their brand equity. However, failure of a brand extension is not uncommon, and little attention has been given to analyzing failures of brand extension evaluations. Moreover, although brand authenticity is one key to understanding consumers' perceptions of brand reputation, no attention has been paid to the way in which sport consumers perceive the concept of authenticity in the sport manufacturing context. Data were collected from 504 undergraduate students who were given questionnaires asking two different brand models. Structural equation modeling suggests that brand extension authenticity plays a key role in the relationship between perceived fit and brand extension evaluations in both success and failure cases. Furthermore, brand extension authenticity is directly associated with positive brand extension evaluation in both success and failure cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has established the significance of applying the concept of fan associations with sport teams for better team management (Gladden & Funk, 2002; Ross, James, & Vargas, 2006). However, studies of fan associations have often indicated that there are differences among fans' perceived associations with teams across different sports (Bauer, Stokburger-Sauer, & Exler, 2008; Biscaia et al., 2016). Likewise, grounded in social identity theory, the current study examined potential similarities/differences in fan association types across four spectator sports (i.e., basketball, baseball, football, and soccer). Using a sample of 990 spectators who claimed to be a fan of major league teams (i.e., NBA, MLB, NFL, and MLS), this study conducted a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to explore between- and within-subject effects. Briefly, the results revealed across-sports variation as well as non-variation in fan's perceived association types as discussed in the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional sport teams strive to cultivate a large, loyal fan base. Relationship marketing is well suited for developing loyal customers. Professional sport teams provide youth sport camps mostly for added revenue streams and marketing extensions. However, research neglects to investigate which relationship factors may help build or reignite long-term fan development. This exploratory study examined the efficacy of these camps on factors theorised for developing long-term customer loyalty. Parents of camp participants were evaluated because they may appeal to teams interested in short- and long-term results. Using repeated measures MANOVA, matched pre- and post-camp data were collected from 70 parents of participants from four different NBA teams’ youth sport camps around the United States. Data analysis revealed the camps were effective in enhancing team identification, attitudes toward the team, and team satisfaction. Results suggest that youth sport camps assist in building customer relationships with parents. Further, the benefits of relationship marketing efforts may extend beyond primary participants via the familial socialisation process. The three aforementioned precursors to fan loyalty showed significant increases after parents’ experience with the teams’ youth sport camp. These findings highlight a possible marketing platform that can serve both short- and long-term objectives for professional basketball teams. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of adaptive sport in predicting employment for individuals with physical disabilities.Method: This study is cross-sectional. We collected survey data on employment and other covariates including education, age, age at disability onset, veteran status and athletic classification from 140 mobility impaired athletes who play either wheelchair rugby or wheelchair basketball.Results: One hundred and thirty-one participants were studied. Our analysis shows that playing an additional year of adaptive sport is associated with an approximately 4% increase in likelihood of employment. Education and duration of disability are found to be positive predictors of employment, while veteran status and severity of injury are negative predictors of employment. Age of disability onset is not found to be a predictor of employment when other controls are included.Conclusions: This result indicates that a substantial economic benefit would result from increased participation in adaptive sport, and therefore may justify additional funding to expand adaptive sport programs.Implications for RehabilitationEmployment rates are very low among individuals with physical disabilities, despite research indicating extensive benefits from employment.Participation in adaptive sport is associated with a higher likelihood of employment.Efforts to increase participation in adaptive sport could have a large economic benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wann et al. (2006) found that highly identified fans reported positive ratings of a player described as a potential member of a favored team but negative ratings of the same player when he was described as a potential player for a rival team. In a different study of fans' perceptions, Cottingham, Wann, and Byon (2013) found that individuals who learned of players' hearing impairments rated their team more favorably than persons who were not provided with this information. The current study was designed to integrate these two works. Participants (N = 170) watched a video of a potential player who was described as having a hearing impairment (or not) and as a recruit for a favored team or a rival team. Respondents also completed an assessment of their identification with the favored team. Consistent with expectations, mention of the player's impairment resulted in greater perceptions of the player as inspirational. However, contrary to the hypothesis, highly identified fans were not biased in their player ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]