Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies

First Committee Member

Benjamin Burroughs

Second Committee Member

David Nourse

Third Committee Member

Bumsoo Park

Fourth Committee Member

Brett Levner

Number of Pages

36

Abstract

This creative thesis aims to bridge the gap in sports journalism by humanizing National Football League (NFL) players, showcasing their lives outside of sports, and exploring their nuanced relationships with the media. NFL players are objectified in the press in a variety of ways, with some common themes including coverage of drafting/trading, performance statistics, salary/contracts, and their overall celebrification. Through an episodic visual narrative podcast, the project grants autonomy back to the players by providing them with a platform to showcase their personalities, discuss media experiences, and share untold stories. This podcast series—featuring a blend of A-roll and B-roll—immerses audiences through an intimate storytelling format while emphasizing the athletes' voices. The project will include interviews with players, media professionals, and scholars, exploring themes such as family values, outside interests, media narratives, mental health, and future aspirations. These interviews will prioritize player comfort, with settings ranging from personal spaces to studio environments. The production utilizes a minimalistic setup to foster a relaxed atmosphere. Editing will be conducted using Adobe Audition and Adobe Premiere Pro, ensuring high-quality audio and visual integration. By giving athletes control over their narratives, this thesis seeks to address the lack of depth in sports coverage, challenge media stereotypes, and promote more empathetic storytelling in sports journalism.

Keywords

Athlete; Dehumanization; Mental Health; NFL; Objectification

Disciplines

Broadcast and Video Studies | Communication | Journalism Studies | Sports Management | Sports Studies

File Format

PDF

File Size

467 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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