Utilizing a theory of racialized organizations within sport management research and practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research Question There is a dearth of research within prominent sport management outlets using critical race-based theories. This article provides a pathway to addressing this problem as we build on the call to address, challenge, and disrupt epistemological racism in sport management research. We propose adopting a theory of racialized organizations – a meso-level approach to examine organizations as racial structures. Research Methods Within this conceptual paper, we provide an overview of the theory and apply it to specific case examples to highlight the utility of TRO within sport management research and practice. Results and Findings Coupling TRO and sport management brings awareness to the racialization processes within sport organizations and helps disrupt dominant narratives of sport being race neutral. Implications Utilizing TRO assists scholars in reframing research questions, increasing the study of racially minoritized sport stakeholders, and challenging notions of race neutrality that reinforce inequitable power relations. From a managerial perspective, sport leaders must interrogate the complicity in perpetuating racialization and how whiteness influences practices and policies.