Differentiation Versus Denial: Impact of Messaging About Player Transactions On Team Reputation, Ticket Sales, and Sports Channel Subscriptions

Authors

Joseph R. Blaney, Illinois State UniversityFollow
Stephen K. Hunt, Illinois State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Chapter

Publication Date

2024

Publication Title

Media and Crisis Communication

Abstract

Part of a concerted effort to quantitatively test claims made throughout image repair research, this study provides a greater understanding of the effectiveness of the differentiation strategy over simple denial and provides further clarification for related claims made in image repair research. Sports teams who differentiate major roster changes from a team rebuild score higher on measures of reputation, intent to purchase tickets, and intent to subscribe to premium sports channels. On behalf of practitioners, scholars should consider the conditions under which the ability to claim differentiation is plausible with a loyal clientele or customer base.

Comments

This is an accepted manuscript of a chapter published in Media and Crisis Communication (Routledge, 2024).

Recommended Citation

Blaney, J.R. and Hunt, S.K. (2024). Differentiation versus denial: Impact of messaging about player transactions on team reputation, ticket sales, and sports channel subscriptions. In T. Coombs (Ed.). Media and Crisis Communication. London: Routledge.