WEEK 5 DQ

What is sport without power? Where would the drama of sport be without an offensive tackle to
spoil a touchdown pass, or a crushing home run to sail over the center-field wall? When this

power becomes abusive, however, the public cries personal foul.

Like conflict, power is an integral part of sport when used correctly. A leader needs to be able to
command and elicit certain behaviors in his or her subordinates, and to do this, he or she must
at times exert influence. Unfortunately, in too many cases, sport figures, including leaders, have
abused their power to the detriment of their followers, fans, and the sport itself.

In 2014, Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice was given a two-game suspension by National
Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell when reports surfaced that Rice had been caught
beating his wife in a Las Vegas casino elevator. Goodell only took stricter action to ban Rice
from football permanently after the video became more widely distributed. Questions quickly
surfaced about Goodell’s actions. Had he seen the video prior to his initial two-day suspension?
If so, why was his first disciplinary action so lenient? Had he adequately questioned both Rice
and his wife in investigating the incident? Goodell was no stranger to controversy, having been
involved in questionable situations before and since the Rice incident (McCann & Keith, 2015).
Although decision making is one leadership trait that is important to the outcomes in these
situations, Goodell’s position of power was also a factor.

It is important for sport leaders to understand the seriousness of abuse of power and the
devastation it can wreak on many lives and, ultimately, to avoid engaging in such abuses.
Leadership requires appropriate use of influence and authority and, in some cases, power to an
effective degree. Understanding these concepts and when to use them is critical in effective
leadership.

McCann, M., & Keith, T. (2015). Moving targeter.Sports Illustrated, 122(20), 17–20.

Instructions
Consider the definitions of positive and negative uses of power in the Learning Materials,
including the “Power” PowerPoint. Identify an example of someone in the field of sport who, in
your opinion, abused his or her power.

Post a description of the individual who, in your opinion, has abused his or her power. Describe
the situation or situations in which this occurred and explain how power was abused. How
could this abuse have been prevented in this situation using influence tactics? Use specific
influence tactics and other strategies in your response.