How the Media Frames Pregnant Female Athletes 
Sammy DiMinno 1, Professor Lori Shontz1,2, Professor Julianne Newton1,2, 
1University of Oregon, 2Department of Journalism and Communication
Introduction Research Questions Future Directions
The purpose of this research is 1. What are the common themes/frames • There is still a fight for sex 
to examine how female in the media when referring to equality in sports and the 
athletes are framed in the pregnant female athletes? media should continue to 
media regarding both 2. Are there differences in the framing of fight for pregnant female these athletes based on the type of 
pregnancy and motherhood. athletes and their publication? representation
3. Regarding race, how are pregnant black • Possibility to look at a 
female athletes framed? larger span of time.
Methodology • Including more than 
• Limited case study a three-year time 
approach, analyzing a frame would Results 
purposive sample of four provide of broader 
female athletes through The Common Frames included: perspective and 
close readings of news • Trailblazer possibly more 
stories and by examining • Feminist, woman as the leader frames
feature articles online from • Competitive athlete frame • Include female athletes 
a three-year time span • Reality frame who have female partners 
• Analyzed each article to look • Superwoman who can do anything to see what frames arise   
for the overall frame of the Race:
print piece, how the athlete • Articles used a reality frame of the 
was mentioned in the text pregnancy/post pregnancy experience 
and the types of frames including complications and injuries post References
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Associated Press, Sports complications
Illustrated, ESPN, ESPNW  & Team vs. Individual: Acknowledgments
Specialty sports outlets • Team athletes are depended on more Thank you to my amazing advisors for 
• Letting the team down type of frame helping me through this process. Thank you, Professor Shontz, for believing in me 
and thank you to my loving family for 
listening to my constant  project updates.