Surveillance, Governance and Professional Sport

Abstract

The surveillance capacities of professional sports clubs and Leagues are directly related to their modes of governance. This paper identifies how private sports clubs enact surveillance through processes of inclusion and exclusion. Using three examples to demonstrate these processes, we argue that the surveillance mechanisms associated with sports governance at times replicate, at other times contradict, and at other times influence those associated with broader law enforcement and security developments. These examples also suggest potential increases in surveillance activities that emerge in club governance often flow from external concerns regarding allegations of crime, national security breaches and corruption. These context-specific case studies (Flyvbjerg 2001) demonstrate how surveillance and identity authentication are closely tied to the complex, multi-tiered governance structures and practices in three distinct sports. We then explore how these patterns can be interpreted as either connected to or distinct from equivalent developments involving the surveillance surge (Murakami Wood 2009) and concepts of inclusion and exclusion under the criminal law. We conclude by discussing how both internal and external regulatory forces can shape interrelated facets of surveillance, governance and exclusion in elite sports.

When Every Test Is a Winner

“…Since its introduction in late 2008, the ABP and Athletes Whereabouts system have received considerable attention as researchers have examined its implications for privacy rights (Halt, 2009), governance and regulation (Hardie, 2011; Sluggett, 2011; Warren, Palmer, & Whelan, 2014; Warren & Zurawski, 2014), individual affect and self-surveillance (Henne, 2014; Henne & Troshynski, 2013), and as a site for potential for resistance (Teetzel & Weaving, 2014). Our interest lies in extending this research by making sense of the everyday experiences of those subject to the system.…”

Surveillance technologies as Instruments of discipline in the elite sports coaching context: A cautionary post-structural commentary

“…This is relevant in our context with special regard to the injured, unfit, or under-performing athlete. Not only are surveillance technologies in sport acting to impose disciplinary power upon working athletes, but in doing so they are also contributing to the bio-political governance of the specific population of elite athletes -a process that is linked to broader external regulatory forces (Warren, Palmer, & Whelan, 2014). This increasingly emphasises sport as a site where surveillance and governance coincide, and must therefore have an influence upon how sport is managed and coached.…”

Urban Design, Neoliberalism, and Social Control in the Context of Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre

“…This includes a police presence, removing unruly and agitating spectators, and restricting items considered to be dangerous (Taylor & Toohey, 2011). Disorderly attendees also may be served with membership, entry, and ticketing bans (Warren et al, 2014). Ostrowsky (2018) discusses the sociology of sports fans including their alcohol use and violent behaviour as well as other risk factors such as police presences.…”

“…Coaffee and Wood (2006) note that extensive and intense security measures required for many large events leave a legacy and longterm implications through introducing permanent security features. Surveillance to promote security at events, particularly at mega-events, will often feed into everyday public surveillance in host cities (Warren et al, 2014). An example of security implementations for the purpose of sport event security becoming widely employed is the use of CCTV cameras in the UK, which were employed in sporting venues in the late 1980s before being publicly installed throughout the UK during the 1990s (Giulianotti & Klauser, 2011).…”

“…This is notable as many of the CCTV cameras in the SHED cover areas where the popular Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Parties take place during the NHL Playoffs, meaning that there is likely active monitoring of the CCTV cameras at these times. Evident in the sporting literature is that sporting events often lead to an increase in surveillance (Giulianotti & Klauser, 2011;Warren et al, 2014;Fonio & Pisapia, 2015;Manley & Silk, 2014). CCTV use for the monitoring of Winnipeg Jets games is not explicitly stated, however, CCTV camera implementation has increased (and continues to) in Winnipeg's downtown, covering much of the areas that surround Canada Life Centre and within the SHED, and are likely actively monitored during Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Parties.…”