Sports media is changing so fast that it’s hard to predict what the industry will look like in the next 10, 20 or 50 years.
As traditional newspapers and print titles closed, television and the internet took over as the most popular platforms for sports fans to get their information. Now the rise in digital media (video, social media, apps) and also new media channels (live streaming and podcasts) have added another dimension to the sports media industry.
Despite the changes the positive viewpoint for aspiring sports journalists is that there are many opportunities and career pathways to take.
Traditionally the written press was the chosen starting place for sports reporters, but social media, blogging, vlogging and podcasting has increased the range of platforms and channels.
Also, it’s not just the action on the field that needs to be reported on in modern-day sports media. The business of sport is also a major talking point. From PR and marketing to finance and politics, sport has grown to such an extent that it has an impact on almost every industry.
As Sportsbeat says, “journalism is simple – it’s just storytelling”.
What jobs can a sports journalist have?
According to Future Active there are many job titles and roles for a sports journalist, which include:
- Sports writers/reporters, sub-editors and editors for print media (including newspapers and magazines)
- Hosts of radio or television sports shows
- Sports announcers/commentators for radio or television
- Producers and directors of television or radio sports shows
- Media representative for sports teams, associations or major venues
- Digital writers/reporters, sub-editors and editors for websites
And that’s just the “traditional” positions. These days you can also add social media, photo journalism, video journalism, podcasting, blogging and vlogging to the sports media spectrum.
Working for clubs and associations
Another major growth area for sports media is the clubs, teams and associations themselves.
Looking at the football industry in the UK Manchester City FC are a leader in creating their own content and have a talented team of media professionals producing articles, videos and graphics for their websites and social media channels.
Then you also have the associations such as Fifa and Uefa which do the same for major tournaments such as the men and women’s football World Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.
See mancity.com, fifa.com and uefa.com for examples of the sports media content being produced in-house at the organisations.
Top tips and advice
While it’s not easy to land a job in sports journalism there are many ways to help you get “a foot on the ladder”. Studying a university degree or signing up to a training course is an obvious starting point, but also having your own blog, vlog or podcast will certainly help your chances.
HR managers don’t just want to see a CV and cover letter land on their desks. They also want to see examples of an applicant’s knowledge, creativity and passion for sport.
As The School of Journalism in Manchester says: “Before you can be a good sports journalist, you need to learn to be a good journalist. Sports journalism is competitive so you’ve got to be prepared to work hard, stand out from the crowd in a marketplace where editors can afford to be selective and deliver when you get your break.”
Writing in The Guardian, broadcaster Gabby Logan gave the following tips for people looking to become a sports journalist:
- Have a passion for your subject
- Write match reports for fun and practise writing
- Apply for work experience
- Look into university courses that specialise in journalism
- Interview sports people
- Talk to as many sports journalists as you can
Sports journalism training and courses
The Sports Journalists’ Association training adviser Keith Elliott says it’s key to learn the core journalistic skills. So as well as having your own social media channels and platforms, signing up for training courses is also advisable for any aspiring journalist.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) website is a good place to start for finding out more information on courses and learning. While WhatUni.com also has information on which universities offer sports journalism degrees in the UK.
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