פרשנות כדורגל בישראל כשדה של ייצור תרבותי וכתחום עיסוק מקצועי

The current study examines two recent developments in the "production" of soccer coverage in the Israeli media: (a) the penetration of "intellectuals" and soccer "jocks" to the soccer commentators' booth' and (b) the debate over soccer commentary that has followed this trend. These developments are delineated from the perspective of the commentators themselves, through in-depth interviews and a systematic survey of their statements to the media. While employing paraprofessional journalists as soccer commentators is interpreted as a postmodern process of de-differentiation, the soccer commentary debate also reflects a struggle between commentators' of diverse classes and backgrounds to dominate various professional arenas.