Becoming a Sports Broadcaster: Advice from a Professional
Are you passionate about sports? Do you often find yourself sharing a play-by-play of the action whenever you watch a game with friends? If so, you might want to consider a career in the exciting field of sports broadcasting.
Anytime you watch your favorite team play, the commentary you hear is being provided by a sports broadcaster. Sports broadcasters can specialize in play-by-play announcing or game analysis, offering their input on the exciting action taking place on the field or court. The duties of a sports broadcaster may depend upon the network or team they work for, but can include a variety of tasks such as calling games, presenting the sports news, offering expert commentary, and interviewing guests.
While some sports broadcasters began their career as collegiate or professional athletes themselves, many simply worked their way up from the beginning, fueled by a love for the game. You don’t have to have special connections or a background as a pro player to succeed as a sports broadcaster – all it takes is a good foundation, the right characteristics, and a determination to succeed.
How do I become a sports broadcaster?
Here’s what you can expect on your path to becoming a successful sports broadcaster:
- First, you’ll need to complete a professional education program that teaches you everything you need to know about sports broadcasting. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a specialized media school that has a specific sports broadcasting program, so you can gain the specific skills you’ll need in the industry. You’ll cover everything from how to tell an interesting story to how to report on a game, learning about production, audio, radio, web, and many other aspects of the industry.
- After you graduate from your media school, it will be time to start an internship in the industry. Some high-quality media schools incorporate internships into their education programs, which makes it easier to find one that suits your career goals and interests. Under the supervision of experts, you’ll be able to learn more about how to implement the concepts you learned in the classroom. In addition to hands-on experience, you’ll also gain the advantage of professional networking and industry connections.
- Finally, after completing your internship, you’ll be able to start your sports broadcasting career. Entry-level opportunities may include working at a small, local company or covering regional games on a part-time basis. As you work your way up, you may decide to secure an agent to help you advocate for career advancement. From there, the sky ‘s the limit when it comes to reaching for your goals.
How long does it take to become a sports broadcaster?
There’s no specific timeline for becoming a sports broadcaster, especially because the job can take so many different forms. Like any career, the time it takes to reach your goals is largely dependent on how hard you work, where you start, and the specific targets you are aiming for.
First, you’ll have to give yourself time to complete a high-quality education and training program. You can expect to spend anywhere from one to four years at a media school, learning the key skills you’ll need to get started. Then, you might spend a year or more interning, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field. After you complete an internship, you will be ready to embark on your career journey.
It’s not unusual for people to begin their sports broadcasting career in non-broadcasting positions, so don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Taking advantage to learn the ropes as a general reporter, production assistant, or even an equipment operator can give you an excellent understanding of what it takes to make it in the industry. Other entry-level options might include broadcasting for a small regional team or working for the local high school during their sports seasons.
What characteristics make a good sports broadcaster?
Sports broadcasting has grown to become an increasingly diverse industry, filled with men and women alike that share one important thing in common: a true love for sports. Understanding the rules of the game, having expert knowledge about sports and teams, and being in touch with sports news and events is a must for sports broadcasters.
However, there are a few other key characteristics that can help you reach your career dreams. A willingness to work hard and a determination to succeed are crucial, especially because sports broadcasting can be a highly competitive field. You’ll want to show up to every class, internship, and job with a positive attitude, ready to learn and tackle every task. Take every opportunity to practice and hone your craft, focusing on improving your technique and building new skills. Being open to new challenges can help you build a wide variety of skills that will not only make you an attractive job candidate but also help you succeed in the pursuit of your professional dreams.
What kinds of jobs are available as a sports broadcaster?
Most sports broadcasters work at either the professional or collegiate level, with a wide variety of job options to consider. You might choose to work with a small, hometown station and cover local sports, or your ultimate career goal might be broadcasting on major sports networks such as ESPN. There are sportscasters that work directly for specific teams, traveling with them for away games and covering the play-by-play action for fans. Other sports broadcasters cover general sports news and events, crossing over between different sports and teams depending on their network’s interest areas.
In today’s digital world, your career as a sports broadcaster can take many different forms. You might host a segment on a local radio show, appear on an evening sports news show, or even create your own unique sports podcast – there’s virtually no limit to where the career can take you. Many broadcasters start out at small, local radio stations and work their way up to the national stage over time.
What are the career prospects for sports broadcasting?
There’s no shortage of career opportunities in sports broadcasting, especially as fans are able to experience their favorite sports in a growing variety of ways. Radio, television, podcasts, streaming video, and countless other media forms have opened the door for sports broadcasting to expand in new and different ways. If you’re hoping to find success in a career as a sports broadcaster, you can be confident that there are good prospects for finding a job you truly enjoy.
Start your sports broadcasting career with an education at Be On Air Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami
The field of sports broadcasting offers an exciting career path with plenty of opportunity for growth, but it’s also a highly competitive industry. Set yourself apart from the crowd with an excellent education and hands-on training from Be On Air Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami. Our sports broadcasting school will arm you with a well-rounded education covering all the most important topics for succeeding in today’s media industry, giving you a fierce advantage and an excellent start to your future career. Here, you can learn from the best, working closely with passionate educators who know all the tricks of the trade.
Make sure you start your sports broadcasting career on the right foot by building a solid foundation of education and training from the schools of the Be On Air Network in Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, and Miami. Contact us to learn more about our sports broadcasting education program and let us help you begin the application process today!
References
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/becoming-a-sports-broadcaster-advice-from-a-professional/
https://study.com/how_to_become_a_sports_broadcaster.html
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/how-to-become-a-sports-broadcaster/