ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the overrepresentation of male leadership of sport organizations has become an institutionalized practice that disadvantages women from gaining access to such positions. Institutionalized practices within sport organizations have valued male ideals, provided men with unquestioned power, and devalued women's contributions to sport leadership. The chapter describes those values, norms, and behaviors that have privileged men and masculinity in sport leadership. It discusses the various conceptual frameworks that have been developed in order to either examine or attempt to explain how under-representation of women in leadership in sport has become institutionalized. The chapter briefly discusses the following concepts: the glass wall, hegemonic masculinity, capital, role congruity and the relevance of each of these concepts to the institutionalized bias of women as leaders in sport. Although most sport leagues and organizations have not implemented specific policies to address the lack of gender diversity in leadership positions, there are still women breaking through institutional barriers.
