Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.22572/mi.32.1.4
Stylistic Features of Sports Commentators: The Case of Football Match Commentary
Magdalena Bilkić Barić
orcid.org/0009-0003-3538-5617
; Hrvatsko katoličko sveučilište
Suzana Peran
orcid.org/0000-0001-6208-8077
Abstract
Starting from the specific characteristics of sports journalism and the popularity of live television broadcasts of sporting events, this paper examines the expressive and stylistic devices used by commentators in televised sports coverage. In addition to its informative role, sports reporting also performs interpretative and entertainment functions, shaping viewers’ understanding and experience of sporting events. Live television broadcasts constitute an essential component of television programming, providing audiences with a sense of authenticity and participation. Using content analysis, the study examines commentaries from two matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and one match from the Croatian national football league. The findings show that commentators most frequently refer to players by their surnames, regularly employing the “we / they” distinction when discussing the Croatian national football team, and frequently incorporate periods of silence and supplementary commentary unrelated to the immediate course of play. The findings further indicate the presence of stereotypes and anglicisms in sports commentary.
Keywords
live television broadcast, media, sport, sports commentator, sports journalism
Hrčak ID:
347948
URI
Publication date:
17.6.2026.
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