Women in sports media have been chipping away at that glass ceiling for decades. At the schools of the Be On Air Network in Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, and Miami, students can work towards their dreams as they move up the corporate ladder in sports broadcasting.

Brief History of Women in Sports Broadcasting

Harry Johnson was a sportscaster in the 30s and 40s. His wife, whose name has been lost to history, is said to be the first female sports broadcaster. She provided color commentary while Harry was announcing. This was unheard of in earlier years, but by the 60s and 70s, women such as Jeannie Morris, Jane Chastain, Phyllis George, and Donna De Varona were regular names in sports broadcasting. Though they were often hired to add femininity to the airwaves, some women sportscasters had backgrounds in journalism. In many situations, they were often kept out of the press box, but their careers initially gave women a foot in the door.

In 1987, Gayle Sierens, who had a history with sports broadcasting, became the first female sportscaster who did play-by-play for the NFL. In 2001, Lesley Visser became the first female color analyst for the NFL. Visser inspires women nationwide to follow their dreams saying that “the three most important things for a sportscaster are knowledge of the game, a passion for sports and the profession, and the stamina to struggle.” In September 2018, Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm made history by covering an NFL game together, becoming the first all-female sports broadcasting team to do so.

How You Can Get Started in Sports Media

More women are receiving opportunities to work in sports media and other typically male-dominated careers. Now is one of the best times to leave your mark on the world of sports. At the schools of the Be On Air Network in Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, and Miami, you can take your knowledge and passion for sports and turn it into a career. The sports broadcasting program covers the following topics and more.

• Speaking skills
• Sports and entertainment media production
• Introduction to broadcasting
• News reporting
• Career development
• Story writing
• Editing and studio operations

With these skills, as well as others, you will have opportunities to become comfortable in the studio and on the air. The competition in journalism can be fierce, and women all over the nation are showing that they are qualified for sports media careers.

Sports Media Careers

After your sports media training, you’ll have opportunities for internships and will then be ready to take on your dream job. The media industry is challenging, but proper preparation will allow you a step up against all possible competitors. The following are some career possibilities to consider.

• Play-By-Play Announcer: Throughout the entire sporting event, the play-by-play announcer keeps a narrative going so those listening will know exactly what is going on.
• Color Commentator: People are interested in their favorite sports and players. Color commentators keep everyone informed on this entertaining background information. This includes data about history, rules, and specific athletes.
• Pregame and Postgame Coverage Announcers: Everyone loves insider knowledge, and that’s exactly what pregame and postgame announcers provide. They get people excited for the game and the players, as some of the most important announcers on the team.

Begin Your Future in Sports Broadcasting

The sports media industry is still predominantly male and could continue on this uniform path unless more women chip away at that glass ceiling. Contact Be On Air Network to learn about how you can start diversifying the sports media industry.