Sports Writing

Summary

The speaker discusses the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in sports journalism, emphasizing the importance of hard work and passion. They recount their own journey, starting at the bottom in an e-man Sports staff role, and gradually working their way up. The speaker highlights the necessity of professionalism, including maintaining objectivity despite emotional reactions to events. They share a personal story about their relationship with racing legend Mario Andretti, noting how they kept professional boundaries until after Andretti's retirement, at which point their friendship blossomed.

Takeaways

• 😀 The field of sports journalism is highly competitive, with many people vying for limited spots, making it difficult to break into.
• 😀 Sports journalism is often described as a 'sandbox' where many young aspiring journalists get their start.
• 😀 Breaking into sports journalism requires hard work, persistence, and starting from the bottom, including local-level reporting and networking.
• 😀 The first job in sports journalism may involve challenging and less glamorous tasks, but it is essential for career growth.
• 😀 Maintaining professionalism is crucial, even when personal emotions are involved, such as excitement over a team's victory or empathy for an athlete's injury.
• 😀 The principle of 'no cheering in the press box' emphasizes the importance of objectivity and detachment in sports reporting.
• 😀 While it's tempting to form close bonds with subjects, it's important to keep a professional distance to maintain journalistic integrity.
• 😀 Personal relationships with athletes can develop after they retire, as exemplified by the speaker's friendship with Mario Andretti after his racing career ended.
• 😀 Building a career in sports journalism involves patience, resilience, and gradually advancing through the ranks.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, a successful sports journalist can enjoy a fulfilling career, provided they maintain their professionalism and passion for the field.
• 😀 The speaker's journey reflects the importance of perseverance and the satisfaction that comes with reaching the top of the sports journalism ladder after years of hard work.

Q & A

Why is sports journalism considered a difficult field to enter?

Sports journalism is highly competitive because many people aspire to work in this field. It is considered an attractive career choice, making it challenging to break into, as there are limited opportunities compared to the number of individuals wanting to pursue it.

What advice does the speaker give for those wanting to pursue a career in sports journalism?

The speaker advises aspiring sports journalists to start at the local level, keep looking for job openings, and be willing to work their way up from the bottom. Building a niche and networking with people in the industry is also crucial.

What does the speaker mean by the 'sandbox of journalism'?

The 'sandbox of journalism' refers to the idea that sports journalism is a field where many young and emerging journalists start their careers, similar to a sandbox where children play. It's a space for experimentation and learning, but also filled with competition.

What was the speaker’s first professional job in sports journalism?

The speaker's first full-time job was as the 'eighth man' on a sports staff, a role that involved handling less glamorous tasks, such as working bad hours and performing the 'drags' (repetitive or tedious work).

How important is professionalism in sports journalism?

Professionalism is absolutely essential in sports journalism. Journalists must remain objective, especially when covering events that evoke strong emotions, like team victories or injuries. The principle of 'no cheering in the press box' is emphasized to maintain journalistic integrity.

What does the phrase 'no cheering in the press box' mean?

'No cheering in the press box' is a guideline that journalists in sports should maintain objectivity and avoid showing personal emotions during coverage of an event. Even if they feel elated or upset by what happens on the field, journalists must remain impartial.

How does the speaker handle emotions when covering sports events?

The speaker notes that while it's natural to feel excited or sad about events, they must keep these emotions in check during their work. They suggest that after completing the job, journalists can express their personal feelings, but during the event, they must remain professional.

What is the importance of developing relationships with athletes in sports journalism?

The speaker emphasizes that while it is important to keep a professional distance from athletes, over time, relationships can develop. In their case, they developed a friendship with Mario Andretti after he retired, but only after their professional interactions were concluded.

Can personal connections with athletes interfere with a journalist’s objectivity?

Yes, personal connections can complicate a journalist's ability to remain objective. The speaker explains that it’s important to keep a professional distance during active careers, but after an athlete’s retirement, journalists may foster personal relationships.

What does the speaker mean by 'working your way up the ladder' in sports journalism?

To 'work your way up the ladder' means starting from the bottom and gradually progressing to more important and prestigious roles. The speaker's experience of beginning with low-level tasks and eventually reaching the top of the sports journalism field highlights the importance of persistence and hard work.