Hanhan Xue

Hanhan Xue
  • Associate Professor
  • School of Education and Human Sciences, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences

Contact Info

Robinson RM 160C
Lawrence

Biography —

Dr. Hanhan Xue is an Associate Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences. Dr. Xue joined HSES in 2026 from Florida State University, where she was an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management. Born and raised in China and having pursued her education and career in Canada and the United States, she brings a multifaceted, firsthand understanding of the complexities of sport business in a global cross-cultural environment. Her primary lines of research focus on strategic management in sport organizations and international sport business. She’s particularly interested in using qualitative research methods to examine strategies and organizational performance in professional sports and other sporting contexts. Dr. Xue is also a leading researcher in esports management, where her work centers on the industry’s economic and cultural structure as well as its effects on the formation and dissolution of esports teams and leagues. Her research has appeared in ABDC listed journals, including A journals such as European Sport Management Quarterly, Journal of Sport Management, Sociology of Sport Journal, and Leisure Studies. 

Dr. Xue teaches across the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels in both face-to-face and online formats. Her teaching focuses on strategic management and organizational behavior in sport organizations. 

Education —

Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, 2015, Alberta, Canada
M.A. in Sport Culture and Communication, Shanghai University of Sport, 2010, Shanghai, China
B.A. in English (Major); Journalism (Minor), Shanghai University of Sport, 2007, Shanghai, China

Research —

Dr. Xue’s lines of research lie within strategic management in sport organizations focusing on stakeholder theory and institutional theory extensions to strategy, as well as international sport business. Dr. Xue is particularly interested in using qualitative research methods including case study, interviews, narratology, and discourse analysis to examine the institutions and international strategy practices in the context of professional sport teams and leagues and other sporting (e.g., esports, major sporting events, and collegiate athletics) contexts. 

Research interests:

  • Stakeholder theory
  • Institutional theory extensions to strategy
  • International sport business
  • Esports
  • Qualitative inquiry and methods 

Selected Publications —

  1. Gulavani, S., Du, J., Xue, H., & Mamo, Y. (2026. Book Under Contract). Artificial Intelligence and Sport. Routledge.

     

  2. Wang, L., Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (2026). Refashioning Post-Cosmopolitan China: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Prada's Use of China Women's National Football Team Athletes as Brand Embodiments. Communication & Sport. doi:10.1177/21674795251376958

 

  1. Chen, Y., Dai, S., Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (2026). Exclusion in the Name of Dissuasion: Framing Moral Panic, Disposable Gamers, and Esport Regulation in China. Communication & Sport. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/216747952513481

 

  1. Chan, H., Watanabe, N., Soebbing, B. P., & Xue, H. (2025). Are esports spectators fickle? An empirical analysis of esports viewership in the attention economy. Managing Sport and Leisure. doi:10.1080/23750472.2024.2441753

 

  1. Shin, N., Xue, H., Kim, A., & Kim, A. C. H. (2024). Are we (in)visible?: Toward a critical understanding of Asian women faculty experiences in U.S. sport management. European Sport Management Quarterly. doi:10.1080/16184742.2023.2273341

     

  2. Dai S., Xue, H., Giardina, M. D., & Newman, J. I. (2024). Hybrid choreographic femininities: DanceSport, physical culture, and performative corporeality in contemporary China. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2024.2313205

     

  3. Xue, H., Du, J., Pizzo, A., Baker, B., Henry, T. E., Yan, G., & Watanabe, N. (2024). The dynamics of esports crowdfunding campaign success: A social exchange perspective. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20, 549-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00850-9

     

  4. Xue, H. (2024). Gaming, Esports, and Leisure. In M. Stodolska, D. Scott, & T. Liechty (Eds.), Leisure Matters: Exploring Leisure in a Changing World. Sagamore-Venture.

     

  5. Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (2023). The political physics of an unkicked ball: On diffractive no-bodies and pandemic non-matter in footballing China. In D. L. Andrews, H. Thorpe, & J. I. Newman (Eds.), COVID assemblages: Sport and physical culture in global pandemic times. New York: Palgrave/MacMillan.

 

  1. McLeod, C., Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (2022). Opportunity and inequality in the emerging esports labor market. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(8), 1279–1300. doi:10126902211064093

     

  2. Yan, G., Xue, H., & Seifried, C. (2022). Representations of Wrigley Field redevelopment(s) in the Chicago Tribune: Neoliberal discourse and urban politics. Sociology of Sport Journal, 39(1), 1-13.

     

  3. Newman, J. I., Xue, H., Watanabe, N. M., Yan, G., & McLeod, C. M. (2022). Gaming Gone Viral: An Analysis of the Emerging Esports Narrative Economy. Communication and Sport, 10(2), 241-270.

     

  4. Dai, S., Newman, J. I., Xue, H., & Du, J. (2022). The dancefloor is now open-A dispositional analysis of the glocalization and sportification of Chinese dancesport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(4), 575–596. doi:10126902211043993

     

  5. Newman, J. I., Xue, H., Chen, R., Chen, Y., & Watanabe, N. (2021). Football and cultural citizenship in China: A study in three embodiments. Sport in Society, 24(12), 2222-2245. doi:10.1080/17430437.2021.1965125

     

  6. Newman, J. I., Yan, G., Xue, H., & Watanabe, N. M. (2021). To live, play, and die in Tianjin: A research assemblage about China's footballing biopolitics. Sociology of Sport Journal, 38(3), 251-263.

     

  7. Xue, H., Watanabe, N. M., Chen, R., Newman, J. I., & Yan, G. (2020). Football (as) guanxi: A relational analysis of actor reciprocity, state capitalism, and the Chinese football industry. Sport in Society, 23(12), 2005-2030.

     

  8. Hindin, J., Xue, H., Pu, H., Newman, J. I., & Hawzen, M. (2020). E-sports. In John Nauright (Ed.), Routledge Handbook of Global Sports (pp. 405-415). London: Routledge.

 

  1. Xue, H., Mason, D. S., Humphreys, B., Johnson, B., & Whitehead, J. (2019). Framing the Olympic elite athlete funding issue: A case study of Canadian newspaper coverage. Communication & Sport, 7(3), 310-336.

     

  2. Xue, H., Newman, J. I., & Du, W. (2019). Narratives, identity, and community in e-sports. Leisure Studies, 38(6), 845-861.

     

  3. Xue, H., & Mason, D. S. (2019). Stadium Games in Entrepreneurial Cities in China: A State Project. Journal of Global Sport Management, 4(2), 185-209.

     

  4. Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (2019). Governance of Women’s Sport in China. In Nancy L. Lough, & Andrea N. Geurin (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of the Business of Women’s Sport (pp. 303-315). London: Routledge.

     

  5. Yu, L., Newman, J. I., Xue, H., & Pu, H. (2019). The transition game: Toward a cultural economy of football in post-socialist China. International Review for the Sociology of

    Sport, 54(6), 711– 737.

Selected Presentations —

  1. Xue, H., Pappas, J., Xie, Y., & Newman, J. I. (Oct 2026). Bridging organizational ambidexterity and institutional complexity: An organizational narrative lens. Paper accepted at 2026 Strategic Management Society, Conference. Strategic Management Society, Berlin, Germany. (International)
  2. Chaib, A., Xue, H., Du, J., & Kim, A. C. H. (May 2026). Towards better understanding artificial intelligence sport coaching: A practice-derived knowledge approach. Paper accepted at 2026 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, San Juan, Puerto Rico. (International)
  3. Zhang, K., Chaib, A., Xue, H., & Kellison, T. (May 20206). Environmental Sustainability and Legitimation Process in Mega Esports Event: A Case Study of Esports World Cup. Paper accepted at 2026 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, San Juan, Puerto Rico (International)
  4. Xue, H., Newman, J. I., Du, J., & Giardina, M. (presented 2025, November). Ghost in the Machine? Artificial Intelligence Fabrication of Sports Scholarship. Paper presented at 2025 North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Annual Conference, North American Society for the Sociology of Sport, Vancouver, Canada. (International)
  5. Qian, T., Mamo, Y., Naraine, M., Du, J., & Xue, H. (presented 2025, May). Human-AI Collaboration in Sport Management: Challenges and Opportunities of Natural Language Processing Applications. Symposium presented at 2025 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, San Diego, California. (International)
  6. Zhang, K., Wang, L., Xue, H., & Newman, J. I. (presented 2025, May). An Integrated Analysis Framework of Gender Stereotypes in Esports. Paper presented at 2025 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, San Diego, California. (International)
  7. Mao, X. & Xue, H. (presented 2025, May). Institutional Distance and Emerging Sport Multinational Corporations: A Case Study of Chinese Sport Corporations’ Market Entry in the United States. Paper presented at 2025 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, San Diego, California. (International)
  8. Mainer, M., Xue, H., & Andrew, D. P. S. (presented 2024, September). Spinning the Wheels of Soft Power: Western Media Framing of Formula 1 Grand Prix and Sportswashing Dynamics in Azerbaijan, China, and Saudi Arabia. Paper presented at 2024 European Association for Sport Management Conference, European Association for Sport Management Conference, Paris, France. (International)
  9. Mainer, M., Xue, H., & Andrew, D. P. S. (presented 2024, May). Beyond "Covering Up Bad Acts:" Western Media Framing of Sportswashing in Qatar and the Soft Power Play. Paper presented at 2024 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (International)
  10. Karthikeyan, N., Xue, H., Newman, J. I., & James, J. D. (presented 2023, June). "Drive to Survive": A Narrative Construction of the Transitional Identity of Formula One. Paper presented at 2023 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, Montreal, Canada. (International)
  11. Hur, C. H., Watanabe, N., Soebbing, B., & Xue, H. (presented 2023, June). Are esports patrons fickle? An empirical analysis of esports viewership in the attention economy. Paper presented at 2023 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management Conference, Montreal, Canada.(International)
  12. Williams, M., Xue, H., Du, J., & Newman, J. I. (presented 2023, June). Bourgeois or Citoyen? A Machine Learning Approach to the Political Role of Professional Sport Leagues and Athlete Activism. Paper presented at 2023 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, Montreal, Canada. (International)
  13. Kim, N., Xue, H., Kim, A., & Kim, A. C. H. (presented 2023, June). Representation matters: A qualitative approach to Asian women experience in sport management. Paper presented at 2023 North American Society for Sport Management Conference, North American Society for Sport Management, Montreal, Canada. (International)

Awards & Honors —

2022  Outstanding Graduate Teaching Nominee, Florida State University

2019  University Teaching Award Nominee, Florida State University

2018  Robert M. Gagné Research Award finalist, Council on Research in Education (CORE), Florida State University

2018  University Teaching Award Nominee, Florida State University

 

Grants & Other Funded Activity —

  1. Mainer, M., & Xue, H. (Sep 2023–Aug 2024). Masking the Ugly Truth? A Sentiment Analysis of Sportswashing and 2022 Qatar World Cup. Funded by North American Society for Sport Management. Total award $1,500.
  2. Shin, N. (PI), Xue, H. (Co-PI), Kim, A. (Co-PI), & Kim, A. C. H. (Co-PI). (May 2022–May 2023). Toward a critical understanding of the experiences of Asian women in sport management. Funded by North American Society for Sport Management. Total award $3,135.
  3. Xue, H. (PI), & Kim, A. C. H. (Co-PI). (May 2022–Aug 2023). Rising Tide: Gender (In)Equality in Esports in Higher Education. Funded by Dean's Circle Catalyst Grant, Florida State University. Total award $10,000.
  4. Du, J. (PI), & Xue, H. (Co-PI). (Mar 2019–Mar 2020). Calling a Time Out: Examining the Mental Health Impacts of eSports through the Lens of the Psychological Involvement and Game Design. Funded by North American Society for Sport Management. Total award $5,000.
  5. Xue, H. (2019–2020). E-sports Gaming Expansion. Funded by IT Governance Council, Florida State University. Total award $13,473.
  6. Xue, H. (PI). (Aug 2017–Aug 2018). FYAP: Community Development and Major Sporting Events in Second-tier Cities. Funded by Council on Research and Creativity, Florida State University. Total award $20,000.

Memberships —

Strategic Management Society

North American Society for Sport Management

North American Society for the Sociology of Sport

European Association for Sport Management