A Critical Discourse Analysis of Black Masculinity in NBA Game Commentary

The National Basketball Association (NBA) offers a unique opportunity to analyze the representation of racial identity, nationality, and masculinity. While less than 15% of Americans are Black, nearly three fourths of NBA players are Black. Many of them are wealthy and recognizable to the general public and are seen as representatives of Black masculinity. One of the strategies used to promote the NBA is to personalize players in game commentary that extends beyond narrating the on court action. This study, part of a larger examination of media representations of identity in American popular culture, uses critical discourse analysis to examine how Black masculinity is articulated in NBA game commentary. This study demonstrates that the NBA is a place where race, ethnicity, and masculinity, are framed by the league and networks, not the players. This helps explain how Black masculinity is understood in American society.