Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

Emotional Reactions to Sports Heroes’ Rise and Fall: Application of Affective Disposition Theory Via the Hero Narrative

Abstract

Sue Ellen Christian and Leah M Omilion-Hodges

Researchers have contended that the American news media often depict celebrity athletes as the heroes in a narrative that has a schematic familiarity for consumers. The presentation of the athlete at the center of the hero narrative follows a sequence of events operationalized by Hoebeke, Deprez, and Raeymaeckers in 2011. This study assesses the extent that the audience perceived, accepted and retold the hero narrative of cyclist Lance Armstrong and collegiate football player Manti Te'o in the winter of 2012, when both athletes were facing public crises. This study measured the dynamics of Affective Disposition Theory by assessing participants' levels of empathy/ sympathy, liking and identification with the athletes. We discuss the findings in the context of news consumption of the hero narrative as predictive of ADT.