COM 3101 Fall 2013 career paper/analysis
Growing up, people always told me I should be a writer when I grew up. I was skeptical because as an adolescent, I had those typical dreams of being an athlete, actor, etc… When I declared my major, I originally did so because I believed that there was no other major I could fit into. Unfortunately, upon the analysis of my experiences within this major, I have seen how my lack of technical prowess and familiarity will hurt my chances within the broadcast field. But there is one area in which I believe I have a chance to succeed.
Whenever there is a writing assignment involved within my broadcast journalism courses, I seem to enjoy it a lot more than the practice or application of various equipment and programs on the technical side of journalism. I want to eventually become a sports writer who centralizes in basketball (but can offer general input within NFL topics). After several years within the industry, I hope to make a transition into television as television personality who works as an NBA analyst.
From my research, I have determined some key skills that are necessary in order to not only succeed but thrive as a successful sports writer. First of all, a sports writer should actually have industry knowledge. He/she should have an understanding of the sport or topic that needs to be written. For example if a writer is confused about the rules of the NFL and posts an article about how NFL officiating has affected the game, a reader might feel a little lost since the connections the writer has made about the rules might be ill founded. This also requires that sports writers keep up with current trends and regulations in order to further their own understanding of the topic. The second, and most important skill, is researching. Although it might seem boring, a writer must know how to avoid speculation and gossip. A sports writer must diligently seek out the real facts with thorough research while avoiding lazy sensationalism. The next skill, although underrated, is the ability to connect with a particular audience. Like having a favorite TV show, many have a particular sports writer who they pay attention to. A sports writer must know their audience and keep them interested in order to ensure continual success. Another highly notable skill is the need for a creative mind. Like in the news industry, stories between journalists are often similar. It is the job of the sports journalist to view a story from different angles while being wary of incorporating opinions that have no factual base. Readers enjoy originality and a writer who sees the story within the story. And the last skill that should not only apply to writing but real world experiences is a basic command of the English language. Although articles are typically written between a sixth to eighth grade comprehension level to ensure that information is spread clearly amongst the masses, rules still matter. Even when facing deadlines, sports journalists must know follow grammar guidelines, proper word usage (knowing word limits, etc…), and take the time to remember their basics.
Since money seems to matter to a lot of people as a source of importance, when looking at a career in sports writing one must consider the salary. Like many other careers, the city and size of the organization are important factors. Generally with a lower level of experience while working in a smaller market, the salary can range from $30,000 to $50,000. When moving up into a larger market with a credible background on your resume, some sports writers make between $70,000 and $90,000. However I also wrote that I wanted to eventually make my way up into a sports analyst position. With minimal experience, the salary can be as low as $22,500 a year, but in the average market the pay ranges from $35,000 to $40,000. On highly rated shows, the average analyst makes around $100,000 and on the big name national shows the salary ranges from $200,000 to an amount in the low millions. Two notable examples of the level I hope to reach are ESPN analysts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, both former columnists for "The Washington Post." As co-hosts of the ESPN show "Pardon the Interruption," Wilbon and Kornheiser each earned an estimated $1.5 million per year. Another two examples are ESPN analysts Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. They both serve as commentators for ESPN’s show “ESPN First Take”. Bayless has worked for many newspaper organizations over his 30 plus years of journalism experience while Smith has worked as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, hosted numerous radio shows, and made a transition to a television personality.
I would say that the ESPN First Take is one of the major reasons I decided to go upon the path I have chosen. It combines humorous dialogue with educative debate and creates a highly watchable show. I know I have a long way to go before I even reach that point. I have to prove myself as a sports writer, develop myself by paying my dues, and be patient. But I believe that this is the path that is most optimal for the interests and passions that I hold while being rewarding as well.
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