Are you the type to get up in the middle of the night to watch a live football, tennis, basketball or rugby match? Do you know the biography of your favorite players by heart? Then the job of sports journalist may be for you! Especially since the rise of digital has opened the door to new opportunities by multiplying the distribution media. Let’s see how to help you put the odds on your side…
What is a sports journalist?
The sports journalist is a journalist who covers sporting events to inform the general public, often bringing a critical perspective. He may be called upon to comment on the meetings live (on television, on the radio, on the Internet or social networks) or concentrate more on the analysis of events (in the written press in particular). The media in which the sports journalist works are extremely varied: they can be general and intended for the general public (national television channel, daily press, etc.) or more specialized (sports press, websites dedicated to a particular sport, etc.).
Some journalists only devote themselves to a single sport, such as football or basketball: they are often former high-level athletes who contribute their expertise. However, the sports journalist is most often required to cover all kinds of disciplines and events.
The missions of the sports journalist can be extremely varied, depending on the type of medium for which he works and according to the coverage of the event he must manage: writing chronicles, briefs, analyzes of before and after match, live commentary, program animations, interviews, podcasts…
The function of sports journalist can also cover many professions :
- Writer for print media (including newspapers and magazines).
- Digital editor for websites.
- Host of sports programs (on the radio, on television or on the Internet).
- Sports commentator (on radio, television or on the Internet).
- Producer and director of sports programs (on radio, television or on the Internet).
- Media / public relations manager for a club, an association, a stadium or a large hall.
In addition to these “traditional” functions, there are many constantly evolving professions, related to social media, podcasting, blogs and vlogs …
What skills do you need to have?
Journalism in general is a very competitive field. Any journalist wishing to stand out must first have excellent written and verbal communication skills. It is also better to develop a number of “soft skills”: for example, it is necessary to know how to remain objective in order to report information without bias, without forgetting to keep calm after working long hours in a noisy environment. You have to be in good shape and always available, because most matches and tournaments take place at the weekend or in the evening and you usually have to travel a lot.
However, the sports journalist must above all be a sports enthusiast, of course. It is advisable to practice a sport yourself, and to apply it seriously. Sports practice, even at the amateur level, allows you to better understand what competition is, team spirit, tactics, the importance of training… Your experience will be very useful for you to better feel the events.
Also remember to nurture your sporting culture by watching as many sporting events as possible, on television or if possible in the field. Learn the history of the sport, read biographies of famous sportsmen and start taking notes on players and coaches.
What training should be taken?
There are two main routes into the sports journalism profession. The first, the one that comes first logically to mind, is to follow a classic journalist training with a final year of specialization in “sports journalism”. Different modules will teach you, for example, editorial techniques specific to the world of sport in print and for the web, but also how to edit and produce video or audio subjects.
On the other hand , obtaining a sports management diploma can allow you to stand out more easily and increase your chances of landing a job in sport. Indeed, a more business-oriented training will be a serious asset to evolve in an increasingly complex and demanding universe.
Above all, always stay motivated and show perseverance, without forgetting that your style and personality will always make the difference!
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