Male homosociality and the overrepresentation of men as leaders in sport organizations

Research question A significant body of research has focused on the underrepresentation of women in positions of leadership in sport organizations but the overrepresentation of men in these positions has largely been ignored. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore how discursive practices of male homosociality in sport organizations may contribute to the overrepresentation of men in positions of sport leadership and shape organizational culture.Research methods We situate our arguments within post structuralism and draw on the notion of discursive affective practices to describe how male homosociality and bonding may shape culture and recruitment, selection and promotion in sport organizations.Results and findings Given the overall absence of sport-specific research on this topic, we primarily draw on the extant literature to explore specific manifestations of male homosociality within broader organizational contexts such as academia, the construction industry and the military and extend those findings to processes of hiring and promotion and organizational culture in sport.Implications The dynamics of the sport context may strengthen male homosociality in sport organizations especially since many of those working in these organizations may have a history of athletic involvement where homosociality is the norm.