Journalistic Role Performance in Global Sports News: Comparing the Stability and Scope of the “Toy Department” Thesis in 36 Countries

Mireya Márquez-Ramírez, Daniel Jackson, Claudia Mellado, David Nolan, Jamie Matthews, Fergal Quinn, Xin Zhao, Department of Communications, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, The Media School, Bournemouth University, School of Journalism, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, School of Arts and Communication, University of Canberra, School of English Irish , University of Limerick

Communication & Sport

Published online on February 23, 2026

Abstract

Communication & Sport, Ahead of Print.
Sports journalism has long been derided as the newsroom’s “toy department”, characterized by emotionalized storytelling, boosterism, and limited critical scrutiny. Although recent research challenges this stereotype, comprehensive cross-national evidence ...