MOST VALUABLE PERPETRATOR: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF RACE, LEAGUE, AND MARKET VALUE ON CONSEQUENCES FOR ATHLETES PERPETRATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Abstract

This dissertation examines gender-based violence in sport through a sociological lens, integrating theories of hegemonic masculinity, racial capitalism, and institutional power to explore how race, organizational policies, and market value impact the consequences received by athletes committing gender-based violence. Using a three-paper model, this dissertation analyzes (1) racial disparities in consequences administered to athletes for committing gender-based violence, (2) the differential administration of consequences across sporting organizations and the role of organizational policies in shaping consequences, and (3) how an athlete’s market value impacts the likelihood of experiencing a consequence. The findings highlight the racialized nature of consequences in sports, demonstrating that there is a higher percentage of Black athletes that experience a consequence for committing gender-based violence as compared to their white counterparts. The MLB, MNBA, and NFL all administer consequences differently and have changed the ways they administer consequences after a personal conduct policy is instituted. Additionally, this dissertation introduces the Market Value Index, a novel framework quantifying the market value of athletes, estimating their financial worth. Considering the market value of NFL players revealed that as an athlete’s market value increases, the probability of facing consequences decreases. These findings underscore the systemic inequalities embedded in sports institutions, where financial and racial considerations intersect to determine consequences. By situating these patterns within broader abolitionist and sociological frameworks, this dissertation argues for structural changes that move beyond carceral solutions, advocating for institutional accountability mechanisms that prioritize survivor-centered approaches to justice.