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The sports industry is massive and has many fans worldwide. Unfortunately, not everyone with a passion for sports has the talent and athleticism it takes to compete consistently at the highest level. However, some people in this category are dedicated to the sport they love and want to be actively involved in it. 

Sports journalism is one of the many career options people can explore in the sports industry that will help them showcase their knowledge and get paid for contributing to the game they love. To consider sports journalism a viable career option, you should have expert-level written and oral communication skills. You should also extensively understand the rules of the game you want to cover and have followed that particular sport for many years.

In the United States, sports journalists earn an average of $44,000 annually and will grow in income as they become more established in the game. In addition, they will have the opportunity to meet and interview top players, retired athletes, and respected personalities in their sport of focus. Furthermore, they will be informed about the latest developments in the sports world since they source relevant news from all over the world.

As a diligent sports journalist, you will gain massive social status if you cover games at the high level of any sport fairly and unbiasedly. Fans will tune in to watch you break down games and give detailed match analyses regularly. If you have a good track record, your words will hold weight, and you will be able to change public perception of certain events in the games you cover.

How to Become a Sport Journalist

The world of sports journalism is vast, and you should consider the following steps if you choose it as a career path.

  1. Choose an area of journalism to specialize in

There are different areas of journalism – sports or otherwise – and you should consider where you want to be dominant. The four most common options are:

  • Broadcast: This mainly involves live television coverage and analysis of games and might require you to present from a studio, stadium, or sports arena where the game is happening.
  • Magazine: Journalists in this medium write long or short-form content about their sport in magazines. This will include but is not limited to interviews, op-eds, and news stories.
  • Newspaper: This is similar to magazines, but this medium’s news is fast-paced and covers local, nationwide, and international sports.
  • Digital: Sports journalists in this field cover stories mainly for social media, podcasts, and websites.
  1. Obtain an accredited sports journalism degree

Most sports media companies require their journalists to have a relevant degree from a recognized tertiary institution. You can get an online sports journalism degree from St. Bonaventure University to develop the skills you need to break into the sports industry.

  1. Pick a niche and get relevant work experience

After studying, look for entry-level jobs or internships at media companies that cover your sport of interest and learn while you work. There are different sports to cover, such as soccer, basketball, rugby, Formula One, golf, and more. Pick one you love and dedicate yourself to it. Your work experience will teach you more about the inner workings of the sports industry and make you more employable.

Endnote

Sports journalism is a great career choice for sports enthusiasts with impressive writing, speaking, and analytical skills. Professionals in this field can make a decent living off their passion and will always have work to do, as there will always be sports events to cover.

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