The passion paradox in women's sport journalism: Precarity, sisterhood and the affective labour of championing women's sport

In the past decade, the accelerated professionalisation of women's sport has seen more journalists dedicated to its coverage. Whereas much attention has judiciously been paid to women's sport in the abuse, harassment and other gendered experiences of women in sports journalism, far less has centred on the emergence of women's sports journalism as a distinct sub-section of journalism. This study contributes to understanding UK women's sports journalism as a distinct workplace. Drawing on interviews with UK-based journalists working across multiple sports, organisations and media, we highlight the operation of a passion economy in women's sport journalism and show that the agency and responsibility to grow women's sport through media coverage has helped create a working culture of togetherness and ‘sisterhood’ in collectively pushing to grow women's sport. Simultaneously, that desire to 'grow the game' sees these women navigate precarious terms of employment, work other jobs to make their journalistic roles financially sustainable and make other sacrifices on account of their affective attachments to representing women and women's sport. This affective labour is one that is ripe for exploitation due to a pure love for women's sport.