What is Sports Journalism? Role, Importance & Impact

As the word says, Sports journalism is a form of journalism that reports on sports topics and events. While the sports department within some newspapers has been mockingly called the toy department, because sports journalists do not concern themselves with the ‘serious’ topics covered by the news desk, sports coverage has grown in importance as sport has grown in wealth, power, and influence. 

In India, there are several sports journalists too like Jatin Sapru & Mayanti Langer Binny etc. I think every child who have a passion for sports , cricket journalism they look up to them. 

Sports journalism is an essential element of any news media organization. Sports journalism includes organizations devoted entirely to sports reporting such as L’Equipe in France, La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, and the now defunct Sporting Life in Britain, American magazines such as Sports Illustrated and the Sporting News, all-sports talk radio stations, and television networks like ESPN.

How you can become a sports writer ?

If you want to be a sports writer, it’s important that you do understand the sports that you are writing about otherwise, you will not be able to capture the interest of your readers. Also, you must know how to sound neutral even if you have a soft corner for a particular team that you are writing about.

Tips & Tricks to become a sports journalist / writer

Here are other tips to consider when writing sports articles: You must have in-depth working knowledge on the sports that you are writing about. Although you don’t need to be an expert, it’s a must that you know the rules of the game, its history, etc. It would be best if you are playing this particular sport instead of just reading the rules and other information from books and other online resources.

1. Read and learn. Make it a point to read the sports page of any newspaper so you can easily get a feel of the tone and writing styles that are commonly used in these types of articles.
2. Identify the elements that captures and hold the interest of readers and know what sports fans consider hot news.
3. Love the game. Although it is not a must, it will help in your writing career if you are really into the kind of sports that you are writing about.
4. Make time to attend live sporting events so you’ll feel the excitement of the game and your enthusiasm will reflect on your articles.  These days if you are an IPL fan you can witness the game live at the stadium. Write and share your personal experience on any of the blog websites.

Read Also: The Code of Ethics in Journalism: Key Principles Explained

The Role of Technology and Skills in Sports Journalism

Computer-assisted reporting involves the use of computers to analyze data in search of a story. This technique and the interpretation of the results require computer skills and familiarity with databases.

Knowledge of a reporter with those of a camera opera- news photography also is valuable for entry-level positions, which some- times combine the responsibilities of a  photographer.

Reporters should be dedicated to providing accurate and impartial news. Accuracy is important both to serve the public and because untrue or libelous statements can lead to lawsuits. A nose for news, persistence, initiative, poise, resourcefulness, a good memory, and physical stamina are important, as dangerous assignments. Broadcast reporters and news analysts must be com- the emotional stability to deal with pressing deadlines, irregular hours, and with a variety of people. Positions involving on-air work require a pleasant fortable on camera. All reporters must be at ease in unfamiliar places and voice and appearance.

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Most reporters start at small publications or broadcast stations as general assignment reporters or copy editors.With experience, they report more difficult assignments or specialize in a particular field. Large publications and stations generally require new reporters to have several years of experience.

Some news analysts and reporters can advance by moving to larger newspapers or stations. A few experienced reporters become columnists, correspondents, writers, announcers, or public-relations specialists. Others become editors in print journalism or program managers in broadcast journalism, supervising reporters. Some eventually become broadcasting or
publishing industry managers.

Employment Trends and the Shift in Broadcast Journalism

News analysts, reporters, and correspondents held about 69,300 jobs in 2008. About 53 percent worked for newspaper, periodical, book, and direc- tory publishers. Another 21 percent worked in radio and television broad- casting. About 19 percent of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents were self-employed freelancers or stringers.

In contrast, no law in the United States or Canada dictates that any given sporting event must broadcast over the air In both countries, the general trend tion channels, a process that has reached virtually every sport as high-profile has been for the major leagues to slowly migrate their broadcasts to subscription.

Read Also: How to Choose the Right Media School – A Step-by-Step Guide

Source:- KC Thakur by Sports Journalism

Trends in Sports Media and Broadcasting

If you’ve been active on social media platform X lately, you’ve likely noticed a flood of Studio Ghibli-style edits taking over your feed. Ever since OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, introduced an AI model that allows users to edit and reimagine photos, people have been transforming real-world moments into anime scenes inspired by the iconic studio.

Below is the classic example of Red Bull White Livery

Sports fans have embraced this trend, turning legendary sporting moments into Ghibli-style movie visuals. These AI-generated artworks include India’s heartbreaking journey in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, highlights from the Paris Olympics 2024 and FIFA World Cup 2024, as well as unforgettable moments from the NBA and WWE.

Glimpse of Indian Batter Virat Kohli going from the Front of 2023 World Cup  

But beyond this artistic trend, sports media is undergoing a profound transformation, fueled by evolving digital platforms and new broadcasting models.

1. The Rise of Live Streaming on Social Media

Read Also: What is Citizen Journalism? Definition, Impact, and Examples

Nothing illustrates the changing landscape of sports broadcasting better than the growing dominance of live streaming on social media. A prime example of this shift was Twitter’s groundbreaking deal to stream Thursday Night NFL games live online—beating competitors like Facebook, Amazon, Yahoo! Inc., and Verizon.

This move signaled a major shift in how sports fans consume content, prioritizing digital-first experiences. Twitter’s COO, Adam Bain, highlighted the significance of connected audiences in driving engagement:

“Connected audiences drive virality and popularity. When something happens on Twitter in live video, it can be shared instantly, making the experience even bigger in real-time.”

Following Twitter’s success, Facebook has also expanded its live sports streaming capabilities. The platform has broadcasted a variety of sporting events, including: USA Basketball men’s and women’s national team exhibition games.

The Future of Sports Media

The rapid evolution of digital platforms is reshaping how sports content is consumed. With AI-powered creative trends and increasing accessibility to live-streamed sports, the future of sports media is becoming more interactive, visual, and immersive. As platforms continue to invest in exclusive streaming rights and AI-driven content innovations, fans can expect a more engaging and personalized sports-watching experience.

Below is the list of Various Career Options in Sports Journalism

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Career Option	Role Description	Salary Range (INR per annum)	Top Companies/Organizations
Sports Reporter	Covers live sports events, conducts interviews, and provides match analysis.	₹3–6 LPA	ESPN, Star Sports, NDTV, Republic TV, Times of India
Sports Anchor	Presents sports news and highlights on TV, radio, or digital platforms.	₹4–8 LPA	Star Sports, Sony Sports, Republic TV, CNN-IBN
Sports Writer/Columnist	Writes articles, columns, and opinion pieces for newspapers, magazines, and websites.	₹3–6 LPA	Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Cricbuzz, ESPN
Sports Editor	Oversees and curates sports content, ensuring accuracy and relevance.	₹6–12 LPA	TOI, HT, Zee News, ESPN India
Digital Content Creator	Develops sports content for websites, social media, and other digital platforms.	₹3–7 LPA	Cricbuzz, ESPN, Hotstar, Sportskeeda
Sports Analyst	Analyzes sports statistics, player performance, and trends to provide insights.	₹5–10 LPA	ESPN, Star Sports, Opta, Stats Perform
Radio/Podcast Host	Hosts sports shows, interviews players, and discusses sports topics.	₹3–6 LPA	Red FM, Radio Mirchi, Spotify, Gaana
Sports Photographer	Captures key moments during live sports events for media publications.	₹2.5–5 LPA	Getty Images, Reuters, PTI, Indian Express
Social Media Manager	Manages and promotes sports content on digital platforms.	₹4–8 LPA	Sportskeeda, Cricbuzz, ESPN, Hotstar
Sports PR Specialist	Manages public relations for athletes, teams, and sports organizations.	₹5–10 LPA	IMG, JSW Sports, Edelman, Adfactors PR
Video Producer/Editor	Produces and edits sports highlights and feature videos.	₹4–7 LPA	Star Sports, Sony Sports, Hotstar, JioCinema
Sports Commentator	Provides live commentary and expert opinions during matches.	₹5–12 LPA	Star Sports, Sony Sports, JioCinema, All India Radio
Freelance Sports Journalist	Covers specific events or writes on-demand content for publications.	₹2–5 LPA	Various media outlets, online sports platforms
Sports Documentary Producer	Creates in-depth sports documentaries and visual stories.	₹6–12 LPA	Netflix, Hotstar, Prime Video, Discovery+

Tv Broadcasters Talent Shows

Sports journalism is evolving, offering passionate fans more opportunities to break into the industry. With digital media removing traditional barriers, aspiring commentators and analysts can now showcase their talent on major platforms.

A great example is CricCaster, a talent hunt by ESPNcricinfo and NEXA, aimed at discovering the next big voice in cricket broadcasting. It provides cricket enthusiasts the chance to transition from passionate fans to professional analysts, with top participants earning a spot on ESPNcricinfo’s digital show and a finalist joining as a guest analyst.

How Talent Shows Like CricCaster Shape Sports Journalism

Initiatives like CricCaster highlight how sports media is embracing fresh voices. These platforms emphasize the growing importance of digital-first journalism, on-camera presentation skills, and audience engagement.

Read Also: Digital Journalism vs. Traditional Media: What’s the Future?

As sports journalism continues to evolve, such initiatives prove that expertise and passion can turn dedicated fans into professional broadcasters.

Final conclusion

Sports journalism focuses on reporting amateur and professional sporting news and events. Sports journalists work in all media, including print, television broadcasting and the internet. If you are a sports fan and would like to pursue journalism, then AAFT is the right place for you to pursue a journalism course.