Sports journalism career focuses on responsibilities, quick thinking and a lot of hard work. This career is certainly a lot of fun and you would get the benefits of getting box seats at the games, interview your favorite sports stars, travel a lot, and getting your share of fame too.
Career Options Available
You don't have to restrict yourself to being a commentator or journalist as sports and recreation employment includes opportunities like marketing, writing and web development. For enrolling in a career in sports and recreation you don't have to be from a sports background, or be an ex-player. You can be from a business management school or even a mass communication student. Some of the career options available in broadcasting include:
- Writing/ journalism
- Commentating
- Camera person
- Web development
To be a sports writer or journalist you need to be with a magazine or newspaper, or even a website. You would benefit by getting great seats at the game, and also provide a comprehensive insight on it. You can also be a freelance writer who is updating this information on blogs or for your personal website. Writers can work for Internet outlets, such as blogs and sports websites, or for print sources such as newspapers.
You can gradually move on to being an editor who is responsible for thoroughness and the final preview of the article. The editor has the final word in selecting the matter that is to be printed or broadcasted.
Commentating
This is an exciting job available in sports because you can sit up in the press box, enjoy all the action, and also comment on the players' actions on the field. But most importantly, your comments will be heard and appreciated by millions. However, this job is not an easy one, and extensive knowledge of sports is mandatory here. The commentators need to possess "cheat sheets", which gives them information about the players and teams. This data is used for further predictions, providing humorous insights and entertaining quips. Your career can commence by commentating in college games, and then move up to national or international level games.
Camera Person
To cover a sports game the camera person need to be technically sound and alert. There are cameras placed at different positions and levels in international and national level sports. But if you are covering a college game then you would probably have no other cameras accompanying you. So, you need to make sure that you capture the apt moments, and use your instincts and knowledge to cover the right angles and shots. Using innovative camera techniques can help you to provide a game that is captured with enthusiasm.
Web Development
Web developers play a vital role in providing live games to users on the internet. They use different designing techniques to recreate images, texts, and graphics. The task of the web developer is to provide comprehensive insight of the game before and after.
Responsibilities and Skills of the Broadcasting Team
A career in sports broadcasting would mean unbiased and subjective views and comments about the game. You cannot root for your favorite team, or boo the opponents, or focus on your favorite players as a camera person, or write only about the best goalkeeper. You have to be alert and look out for the next series of movements by the players.
You should have an interest in sports, along with an insight for predicting the next strategies of the players. Networking and communicating with players is important to get an inner perspective of the game. You also need to be fast paced, ready to work anytime of the year, and travel in an hour's notice.
Educational Qualifications
A degree in computer information systems is vital for sports web developers. Degrees in journalism and mass communication are mandatory for the journalists. Camera persons should have a degree or diploma in videography or broadcasting technologies. Commentators can be from any discipline of education, but good command over language and in-depth knowledge of sports is mandatory.
Skill Sets
The skill sets of sports and recreation broadcasting professionals comprise reading news features, stories, conducting guest interviews and panel discussion forums. The individual should also be skilled in providing lead in reports by others, and work once or twice a day in a major news feature or program. Others should be proficient in broadcasting 5 minute news segments periodically.
Employment Outlook
Career Prospects and Salaries
The pay packages for the broadcasting careers range from $30,000 to $50,000 at entry levels. With experience and higher degrees one can earn anything from $75,000 to $100,000. The sports and recreation broadcasting professionals are expected to put in hectic schedules and maintain an equivocal demeanor in the job. Star anchors can make the best of this profession and become famous personalities with potential contacts.
