Media Relations in Sport

by William Nichols

"On a daily basis--through the discipline of media relations-- no one affects the image of an organization more than the public relations staff. Media Relations in Sport provides a wonderful understanding of the functions and workings of the sports media world. For those students who are planning careers in sports management or athletic administration this guide is a must-read."
----from the Foreward by Bob DiBiasio VP Cleveland Indians Public Relations

"The media can create heroes and heroines restructure the rules of the game expose corruption or elevate an athlete a team or an institution to become an American tradition. The power of selection in coverage and interpretation of the event rests with sports journalists and media organizations. The choices they make ultimately play a role in how all of us view a particular athlete a team or a sport."
----from the Introduction

Media Relations in Sport provides a framework for understanding the connection between the informational and commercial sides of sports information management.

Part I addresses the working relationships between journalists and sport organizations as they have evolved over the years.

Part II defines the various roles of sports information specialists along with their duties in disseminating information. It provides practical guidelines on everything from writing press releases to preparing media guides to organizing events such as news conferences and media days.

Part III addresses the responsibilities of sports information professionals: How to organize and manage game coverage what to do to promote special events ranging from awards banquets to tournaments and how to develop publicity campaigns.

Part IV confronts the ethics of these formalized working relationships and the ideology they perpetuate.

Media Relations in Sport is for students in sport management as well as students in journalism public relations or communications. Each chapter contains a glossary of terms discussion questions suggested exercises role playing activities and extensive notes.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002