Thread by @axios

⚽️ 1/ Sports commentary is riddled with unconscious bias.

Now, a new study shows just how drastically race and gender can impact fandom. trib.al/vuhTWzL

2/ Using a clip of Senegal vs. Poland at the 2018 World Cup, researchers produced an animated rendering where players' race wasn't visible.

47 study participants watched the original broadcast.

58 others saw the rendering.

3/ The results?

70% of participants who watched the original broadcast said Senegal was "more athletic or quick" — a common stereotype of Black players.

But 62% of those who watched the rendering picked Poland, whose players were all white, as the more athletic team.

4/ The study also examined gender bias by showing viewers a pair of clips:

• One from the National Women's Soccer League

• One from League Two, the English men's fourth tier

5/ 57% of participants who watched the original broadcasts said the men's game was "higher quality."

But 59% of those who saw a genderless rendering preferred the women's match.

6/6 The results of the gender portion weren't statistically significant.

But Toronto FC director of analytics and study co-author Devin Pleuler still thinks the research is promising. trib.al/vuhTWzL

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