Sports Journalist
HOW TO BECOME A SPORTS JOURNALIST
Whether it's watching TV, listening to the radio, browsing the Internet or reading the newspaper, anything goes when it comes to keeping up with the latest sports results. And sports journalists are the ones called upon to keep these media running, comment on matches or follow events such as the Olympics.
What is a sports journalist?
Sports journalists are people who love sports. To be successful at their job, they must be enthusiasts. However, a sports journalist’s skills do not exclusively depend on their love of sports. They must also assume all the functions that come with the job and overcome accompanying challenges.
The sports journalist role is a highly versatile role. They may work for print media, radio, television, press agencies or on the Internet. In fact, with the number of TV channels and radio broadcasts nowadays, the opportunities to become a sports commentator are gradually increasing. Although there are several openings for this career, professional integration remains difficult. There are few vacancies and positions are very selective.
Sports journalists may be generalists, meaning that they are able to discuss any sport, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or handball. Or they can specialize in a specific sports discipline. In this case, they master a particular sport and are recognized as experts. In short, they can have a wide variety of tasks to perform.
As a general rule, irrespective of their area of specialization or the medium they work for, journalists will be required to gather information, write news briefs, produce news reports, linkups and much more.
Finally, sports journalists must be available and flexible. This is because they may need to travel frequently and work flexible hours. Sports events often take place on weekends and late into the evening. Therefore, you should be ready to travel anywhere, at any time, to cover an event!
What are the duties of a sports journalist?
Depending on the media that employs them and their area of specialization, sports journalists carry out countless tasks every day.
Their main task is reporting on the events they attend and commenting sports results. Such a task can be performed live, on radio or on television, or through analysis in the sports press such as for the daily French sports newspaper l’Équipe, for example.
This means processing sports news in general. Methods for achieving this includes preparing notes ahead of time, although during matches commentators are mostly expected to improvise and react to the events on the pitch. Note that a good memory and quick thinking is required for the role.
Other duties include working on their columns, writing articles for magazines, interviewing athletes or hosting sports programs.
They must also keep abreast of events through the press, television, radio and the Internet. Checking information sources is essential to avoid misinformation! The aim is to satisfy listeners and viewers as best as possible. So, you should do your utmost to make sure sport holds no secrets from you!
In addition, journalists are now required to perform several roles. For instance, it is becoming increasingly rare for journalists to be accompanied by a photographer. This means they must be familiar with shooting, then editing their own reports. In short, journalists are professionals with numerous journalistic skills!
Key qualities and skills required of a sports journalist
Excelling in one’s field and standing out from the crowd as a sports journalist requires a variety of skills and some essential qualities.
The first and most important is to have a sound understanding of sports! Sports journalists must be perfectly familiar with sporting news, history, evolution, rules, athletes, coaches, referees, etc. However, excellent sporting knowledge is not enough. They must also possess thorough general knowledge.
As true professionals, sports journalists must develop a critical eye, while maintaining a neutral approach. They must be journalists before being supporters.
In this career, diligence is the key to success! Sports fans are typically demanding and expect accurate comments. Therefore, commentators must be articulate, responsive and able to improvise where necessary.
What’s more, sports specialists must demonstrate stamina if they must comment live sporting events. This may be the case for the Soccer World Cup, Roland Garros or the Olympics, for instance.
Finally, the following qualities are key:
-
- A taste for challenges
- An analytical mind
- Excellent diction
- Perfect writing skills
- Fluency in a second language (English appreciated)
Command of technology tools
- A curious mind
In short, if you possess all the above qualities and that you are able to withstand the stress of dealing with contingencies and last-minute changes, then sports journalism is a perfect fit for you!
Salary range and career prospects
Sports journalists usually begin their career as freelancers. They typically write piecework to pitch to a chosen media, or work on an ad hoc basis and as substitutes.
They may carry on as freelance journalists and set up their own business or be employed by a media company. In time, they can move on to senior positions, such as section editor, editor-in-chief, editorial manager or head of the sports section of a newsroom.
Other possible career prospects include working for production companies, which demonstrate increasing popularity in the sector.
Professional integration is still difficult, even though TV channels and radio stations have developed remarkably well in recent years. Well-known French TV channels and radio stations include BeIN Sports, Téléfoot, France Télévisions, RMC, RFI, RTL…
Entry level salaries range from €1,600 to €1,800 gross monthly. Salaries may vary depending on the reputation of the organization which employs the sports journalist. Compensation is liable to increase with experience.
What qualifications are required to become a sports journalist?
To become a sports journalist, you need to have a baccalaureate. There are a number of training courses available, the ideal being to continue your studies at least as far as bac+3. You can train as a journalist at a journalism school. Schools specializing in sports, such as AMOS, can give you the opportunity to work alongside sports journalism professionals.
The sports journalism profession is accessible to young graduates, but you need to be determined to stand out from the crowd. Your pen, your style and your personality will make the difference between you and your press card!
If you’re tenacious, competent, motivated and talented, go for a course where you can specialize in Sport Management, such as a Bachelor’s specialized in Sports Professions (bac+3).
If you want to go as far as Bac+5 to deepen your knowledge of sport and increase your chances of professional integration, we recommend a Master’s degree in Sport Business.
Professional training courses, recognized by the State and the profession, enable you to enter the job market fairly quickly. In fact, according to a 2017 study by AMOS, 88% of graduates are working in the sports sector just six months after graduation. The key is perseverance!
Sports journalists are people who love sports. To be successful at their job, they must be enthusiasts. However, a sports journalist’s skills do not exclusively depend on their love of sports. They must also assume all the functions that come with the job and overcome accompanying challenges.
The sports journalist role is a highly versatile role. They may work for print media, radio, television, press agencies or on the Internet. In fact, with the number of TV channels and radio broadcasts nowadays, the opportunities to become a sports commentator are gradually increasing. Although there are several openings for this career, professional integration remains difficult. There are few vacancies and positions are very selective.
Sports journalists may be generalists, meaning that they are able to discuss any sport, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or handball. Or they can specialize in a specific sports discipline. In this case, they master a particular sport and are recognized as experts. In short, they can have a wide variety of tasks to perform.
As a general rule, irrespective of their area of specialization or the medium they work for, journalists will be required to gather information, write news briefs, produce news reports, linkups and much more.
Finally, sports journalists must be available and flexible. This is because they may need to travel frequently and work flexible hours. Sports events often take place on weekends and late into the evening. Therefore, you should be ready to travel anywhere, at any time, to cover an event!
Depending on the media that employs them and their area of specialization, sports journalists carry out countless tasks every day.
Their main task is reporting on the events they attend and commenting sports results. Such a task can be performed live, on radio or on television, or through analysis in the sports press such as for the daily French sports newspaper l’Équipe, for example.
This means processing sports news in general. Methods for achieving this includes preparing notes ahead of time, although during matches commentators are mostly expected to improvise and react to the events on the pitch. Note that a good memory and quick thinking is required for the role.
Other duties include working on their columns, writing articles for magazines, interviewing athletes or hosting sports programs.
They must also keep abreast of events through the press, television, radio and the Internet. Checking information sources is essential to avoid misinformation! The aim is to satisfy listeners and viewers as best as possible. So, you should do your utmost to make sure sport holds no secrets from you!
In addition, journalists are now required to perform several roles. For instance, it is becoming increasingly rare for journalists to be accompanied by a photographer. This means they must be familiar with shooting, then editing their own reports. In short, journalists are professionals with numerous journalistic skills!
Excelling in one’s field and standing out from the crowd as a sports journalist requires a variety of skills and some essential qualities.
The first and most important is to have a sound understanding of sports! Sports journalists must be perfectly familiar with sporting news, history, evolution, rules, athletes, coaches, referees, etc. However, excellent sporting knowledge is not enough. They must also possess thorough general knowledge.
As true professionals, sports journalists must develop a critical eye, while maintaining a neutral approach. They must be journalists before being supporters.
In this career, diligence is the key to success! Sports fans are typically demanding and expect accurate comments. Therefore, commentators must be articulate, responsive and able to improvise where necessary.
What’s more, sports specialists must demonstrate stamina if they must comment live sporting events. This may be the case for the Soccer World Cup, Roland Garros or the Olympics, for instance.
Finally, the following qualities are key:
-
- A taste for challenges
- An analytical mind
- Excellent diction
- Perfect writing skills
- Fluency in a second language (English appreciated)
Command of technology tools
- A curious mind
In short, if you possess all the above qualities and that you are able to withstand the stress of dealing with contingencies and last-minute changes, then sports journalism is a perfect fit for you!
Sports journalists usually begin their career as freelancers. They typically write piecework to pitch to a chosen media, or work on an ad hoc basis and as substitutes.
They may carry on as freelance journalists and set up their own business or be employed by a media company. In time, they can move on to senior positions, such as section editor, editor-in-chief, editorial manager or head of the sports section of a newsroom.
Other possible career prospects include working for production companies, which demonstrate increasing popularity in the sector.
Professional integration is still difficult, even though TV channels and radio stations have developed remarkably well in recent years. Well-known French TV channels and radio stations include BeIN Sports, Téléfoot, France Télévisions, RMC, RFI, RTL…
Entry level salaries range from €1,600 to €1,800 gross monthly. Salaries may vary depending on the reputation of the organization which employs the sports journalist. Compensation is liable to increase with experience.
To become a sports journalist, you need to have a baccalaureate. There are a number of training courses available, the ideal being to continue your studies at least as far as bac+3. You can train as a journalist at a journalism school. Schools specializing in sports, such as AMOS, can give you the opportunity to work alongside sports journalism professionals.
The sports journalism profession is accessible to young graduates, but you need to be determined to stand out from the crowd. Your pen, your style and your personality will make the difference between you and your press card!
If you’re tenacious, competent, motivated and talented, go for a course where you can specialize in Sport Management, such as a Bachelor’s specialized in Sports Professions (bac+3).
If you want to go as far as Bac+5 to deepen your knowledge of sport and increase your chances of professional integration, we recommend a Master’s degree in Sport Business.
Professional training courses, recognized by the State and the profession, enable you to enter the job market fairly quickly. In fact, according to a 2017 study by AMOS, 88% of graduates are working in the sports sector just six months after graduation. The key is perseverance!
