What is a sports journalist?
A sports journalist is someone who loves sport. To excel in the job, you have to be passionate. That said, a sports journalist’s skills are not measured by their passion for sport alone. They must also carry out every function of the profession and rise to the challenges it sets.
The job of sports journalist is a very varied one. You can work in the written press, on radio, on television, for news agencies or online. What is more, the many television channels and radio programmes now on air are gradually increasing the opportunities to become a sports commentator. Although there are several possible career paths, breaking into the profession remains difficult. Places are limited and roles are highly selective.
A sports journalist can be a generalist, able to cover every sport, such as football, basketball, tennis and handball. They can also specialise in a particular discipline. In that case, they master one sport in particular and are recognised as an expert in it. Their duties can therefore vary widely.
As a rule, whatever their speciality or the medium they work for, a journalist will be required to keep informed, write news briefs, produce reports and live link-ups, and much more besides.
Finally, a sports journalist has to be available and flexible. Work-related business travel can be frequent and the hours are never fixed. Sporting events often take place at the weekend and late in the evening. So be ready to go anywhere at any time to cover an event!
What does a sports journalist do?
Depending on the medium they work for and their speciality, a sports journalist carries out a countless number of tasks every day.
Their main task is to report on the events they attend and to comment on sports results. This can be done live, on radio or on television, or through analysis in the sports press, for the daily sports paper L’Équipe, for example.
They therefore have to process information about sport in general. To do so, it is possible to prepare notes in advance, even if during a match you will mostly have to improvise and react to what happens on the pitch. Be warned: you need a good memory and quick wits.
A sports journalist must also work on their columns, write articles for a magazine, interview athletes or even present sports programmes.
It is also essential to keep a close watch on the news by reading the papers and keeping informed through television, radio and the internet. Checking your sources is very important to avoid passing on inaccurate information! The aim is to satisfy as fully as possible listeners and viewers. So do everything you can to make sure sport holds no secrets for you!
On top of that, journalists are now expected to take on several roles. For example, it is increasingly rare for them to be accompanied by a photographer. They must therefore be able to film, then edit their own reports. The journalist is therefore a professional armed with a wide range of journalistic skills!
The essential qualities and skills of a sports journalist
To excel in your field and stand out from the crowd, a range of skills is required and certain qualities are essential in order to work as a sports journalist.
The first and most important is a sound knowledge of sport! A sports journalist must have a thorough grasp of sports news, its history, its development, its rules, the athletes, the coaches, the referees, and so on. However, a good knowledge of sport is not everything. You must also have a thorough general knowledge base.
To show real professionalism, a sports journalist must have a critical eye, while remaining neutral. You must be a journalist before you are a supporter.
In this job, rigour is the key to success! Sports fans, who are often demanding, expect commentary that is precise. You therefore need to be clear, quick to react, and able to improvise when necessary.
What is more, a sports specialist will need to show stamina when they are called upon to provide live commentary on sporting fixtures. This can happen at the Football World Cup, Roland-Garros or the Olympic Games for example.
Finally, it is essential:
- to enjoy taking on challenges
- to have an analytical mind
- to have good diction
- to have mastered the art of writing
- to have a command of a second language (English an advantage)
- to be proficient with technological tools
- to be curious
In short, if you have all these qualities and you know how to handle stress in order to cope with the unexpected and last-minute changes, then sports journalism is the career for you!
Salary and career progression
Sports journalists generally start their career as a freelance. They will write freelance pieces that they can offer to whichever media they choose, or take on occasional assignments and cover for permanent staff.
They may carry on as a freelance contributor and work for themselves, or be employed by a media outlet. They can then move on to positions of responsibility such as section editor, editor-in-chief, editorial manager or head of the sports desk of a newsroom.
Other possible career paths include production companies, which are increasingly popular in the sector.
Getting a foot in the door remains difficult, even though television channels and radio stations have grown remarkably. The best known include BeIN Sports, Téléfoot, France Télévisions, RMC, RFI and RTL.
A beginner’s salary is between 1,600 and 1,800 euros gross per month. This salary can vary depending on the reputation of the organisation the sports journalist works for. Experience is another of the criteria that can increase the salary.
What training do you need to become a sports journalist?
To become a sports journalist, you must hold the baccalauréat. Several courses are available, and ideally you should continue your studies at least to three-year degree level. Journalism training can be taken at journalism schools. Specialist sports schools such as AMOS can give you the chance to work alongside professionals in sports journalism.
Sports journalism is open to recent graduates, but you need to show determination in order to stand out from the crowd. Your writing, your style and your personality will make all the difference in obtaining your press card!
If you are tenacious, capable, motivated and talented, take the plunge and choose a programme where you can specialise in Sport Management, such as a Bachelor specialising in careers in sport (three-year degree).
If you intend to go on to a five-year degree to deepen your knowledge of sport and improve your chances of entering the job market, we recommend a Master in Sport Business or a Programme Grande École Sport Management.
Career-focused programmes, recognised by the State and by the profession, make it possible to enter the job market fairly quickly. Indeed, according to a study carried out by AMOS in 2017, 88% of graduates work in the sports sector just six months after graduating. It is all about showing perseverance!
