ABSTRACT

This chapter addresses two gaps in linguistic research into sports journalism. The first is to map the functional structure of online match reports, both in terms of the role of language and image in generic structure, and in relation to how layout design in the online environment influences how readers engage with the story. The second is to offer a contemporary comparative study of how sporting events involving male and female athletes are reported on in the news media. At the end of the chapter, reference will be made to the continued marginalisation of women in sports reporting, and will flag future research in this area.