Honors Theses and Capstones
Date Completed
Spring 2026
Abstract
Despite growing participation in women’s sports, media coverage continues to reflect significant gender disparities. This thesis examines how ESPN, as a leading sports media network, contributes to the construction of gendered narratives through its coverage of women’s sports and female athletes. Drawing on framing theory, agenda-setting theory, and social identity theory, this study analyzes headlines, visuals, language, narratives, and broadcast patterns to explore how meaning is constructed in sports coverage.
The findings suggest that while coverage of women’s sports has increased, it often remains positioned as secondary to men’s sports. Female athletes are more frequently described using language that emphasizes emotion or personal hardship, while male athletes are framed around athletic performance. These patterns are evident across media platforms, reinforcing broader inequalities within sports media.
This research emphasizes the need for more equitable coverage and representation of female athletes in sports media.
First Advisor
Jennifer Borda
College or School
COLA
Department or Program
Communication
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Leonard, Abigail C., "Gendered Coverage in Sports Media: An Analysis of ESPN’S Representation of Women’s Sports" (2026). Honors Theses and Capstones. 929.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/929
Included in
Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons, Sports Communication Commons, Sports Studies Commons