Professionalized, Not Equalized: Media Narratives in International Women’s Hockey
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Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
Media coverage of women’s hockey has not always treated players as elite athletes, often focusing on personality, youth development, or “firsts.” Race and age have also shaped how athletes are discussed and which stories receive attention. With the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in 2023, the sport now has a stronger professional presence, which may be shifting how the sport is covered. Focusing on coverage of the U.S. Women’s hockey team in the 2026 Winter Olympics and utilizing Birrell and McDonald’s Reading Sport methodology (2000), this study examines coverage of the women’s hockey tournament across media outlets such as NPR, ESPN, NBC, and Reuters. It also considers how teams with more PWHL players tend to receive greater media attention in North America.
Recommended Citation
Auld, Katherine, "Professionalized, Not Equalized: Media Narratives in International Women’s Hockey" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 29.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/oral_presentation/1/29
Professionalized, Not Equalized: Media Narratives in International Women’s Hockey
Media coverage of women’s hockey has not always treated players as elite athletes, often focusing on personality, youth development, or “firsts.” Race and age have also shaped how athletes are discussed and which stories receive attention. With the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in 2023, the sport now has a stronger professional presence, which may be shifting how the sport is covered. Focusing on coverage of the U.S. Women’s hockey team in the 2026 Winter Olympics and utilizing Birrell and McDonald’s Reading Sport methodology (2000), this study examines coverage of the women’s hockey tournament across media outlets such as NPR, ESPN, NBC, and Reuters. It also considers how teams with more PWHL players tend to receive greater media attention in North America.