This post provides detailed information on the sports journalist job description, including the duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform, as well as a template employers can use.
It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the sports journalist role by most employers.
What Does a Sports Journalist Do?
A sports journalist is responsible for researching, writing, and reporting news and events about the global sporting events for different media platforms, such as online, broadcast, and print, attending games, conducting interviews, and creating content, like articles, podcasts, and videos under tight deadlines.
The sports journalist job description entails maintaining media contacts, ensuring honest reporting, staying updated on sports trends, and collaborating with editors and photographers to create engaging and insightful stories for audiences.
It also involves participating in press conferences, training sessions, and staying up to date with the latest developments in the sports world.
Sports journalists work closely with editors, photographers, and other journalists to ensure widespread and well-timed coverage of local, national, and international sports, as well as develop and deliver compelling content.
A sports journalist’s responsibilities can be as simple as researching, reporting, and writing about sports events, or as complex as conducting in-depth research, covering live events, interviewing athletes and coaches, writing and editing articles for different media, producing multimedia content, and encouraging moral standards.
Sports journalists engage in a wide range of activities using tools and technologies for reporting, editing, publishing, and engaging audiences across platforms in real time, including software for writing, editing, and publishing; mobile live reporting tools, data and analytics, equipment for field reporting, and social media platforms.
Most sports journalists report to a sports editor who leads the sports department within a media organization.
In larger operations, sports journalists report to the sports editor, who is part of the senior editorial team and heads the sports department.
Where Sports Journalists Work
Sports journalists work in different media, such as print, broadcasting, television, radio, press agencies, and the internet.
Some sports journalists may work for a number of media outlets at the same time, or have regular positions as commentators or sports columnists.
Sports Journalist Training
Sports journalists need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field as part of their formal education.
Many pursue specialized Master’s programs in Sports Journalism. With the help of a strong educational foundation, they can develop necessary skills such as research, writing, and moral thoughts, which are essential for success in the field.
Institutions that offer sports journalist training include universities, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with some programs focusing on specific skills like broadcast, written sports journalism, or digital journalism.
Sports Journalist Job Description Example/Sample/Template
The sports journalist job description may consist of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities, depending on where they work:
- Collect information on sports events, league development, team history, and research player statistics to provide a framework for stories
- Create and present content across different media formats, including television, radio, online, and written stories
- Work within a team of editors, sub-editors, photographers, and videographers to create professionally crafted content across different media
- Attend different sporting events, tournaments, and matches to provide coverage as recorded or in real-time reporting
- Develop and maintain contacts within the sports industry to find exclusive stories and breaking news
- Conduct interviews with athletes, sports officials, and coaches to collect quotes and insights for their stories
- Generate ideas for stories with other reporters and follow news and happenings in the sports industry
- Interview subject-matter specialists to learn more about injuries, fitness concerns, and ailments
- Cultivate a network of industry and sports contacts to use as sources for stories, as well as build and maintain relationships with people who provide credible sources of information
- Review the work of sports writers to ensure they follow formatting guidelines and editorial styles and fit the magazine’s requirements
- Report current player injuries, team structures, game statistics, and other sports-related information
- Perform verification and run scrutiny on stories and sources to ensure the information is correct
- Remove objectivity and biases and present neutral reviews and balanced views through their stories to provide a comprehensive view of the event
- Watch live national and international sporting events and sports-related activities for interesting stories.
Sports Journalist Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
A sports journalist requires certain skills, industry knowledge, and a number of personal attributes to be successful on the job and career, and to qualify for hiring by most recruiters/employers, including:
- Excellent writing and storytelling skills to craft engaging sports articles, recaps, profiles, and features
- Strong knowledge of sports rules, teams, and players to provide accurate, insightful coverage and analysis
- Verbal communication skills for conducting interviews and delivering on-air reports
- Strong interviewing skills for gathering firsthand insights from athletes, coaches, and sports executives
- Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in reporting scores, player statistics, and factual information
- Ability to work under pressure
- Time management and organizational skills to effectively juggle writing, interviews, research, and editing tasks
- Critical thinking and analysis to break down game strategies and explain performance trends
- Knowledge of AP Style or journalistic writing standards to ensure consistency and professionalism in writing
- Proficiency with content management systems (CMS) for publishing articles online
- Social media expertise for live updates, audience engagement, and building a reporter’s brand
- Basic photo and video editing skills: Strong ability to capture visual content at events
- Ability to use recording equipment, including cameras, microphones, and audio recorders for interviews and coverage
- SEO writing skills for optimizing online articles for search engines
- Familiarity with newsroom software tools like ENPS, WordPress, or other editorial platforms
- Passion for sports: Demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment, and engaging storytelling
- Curiosity and persistence for chasing leads, digging deeper into stories, and finding unique angles
- Professionalism and ethics: Ability to maintain credibility and follow journalism standards
- Adaptability: Strong ability to adjust to unexpected outcomes, breaking news, and last-minute changes
- Networking skills: Ability to build sources among players, coaches, agents, and media staff
- Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays as most games and events happen outside normal work hours
- Ability to travel frequently for away games, tournaments, interviews, and championships
- Comfortable working in loud or crowded environments
- Physical stamina to stand for long periods or carry equipment during coverage
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or Media Studies
- Courses in sports journalism, broadcasting, or sports media (recommended) for improved specialized reporting skills
- Internships at newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, or sports organizations
- Provide hands-on experience and build a strong portfolio
- Portfolio of writing or broadcast samples for proving experience and skill to employers
- Ability to obtain press pass or media credential for access to stadiums, locker rooms, press conferences, and major sporting events.
Sports Journalist Job Description Template
Here is a sports journalist job description template employers can edit and use in their job postings to attract the best sports journalists to their companies:
Position Title: Sports Journalist
Reports To: Sports Editor / Managing Editor / News Director
Location: [Your Company Location]
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time
Company Overview
[Your Company Name] is a leading media organization committed to delivering high-quality sports news, features, commentary, and multimedia content across print, digital, and broadcast platforms. We pride ourselves on accuracy, creativity, and engaging storytelling. Our sports team covers everything from local high school athletics to national and international sports events, providing readers with insightful, timely, and compelling journalism.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and deadline-driven Sports Journalist to join our newsroom. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of sports, excellent writing and reporting skills, and the ability to produce clear, engaging, and accurate content in a fast-paced environment. This role includes reporting on live events, writing features, conducting interviews, creating multimedia content, and collaborating with editors and photographers.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting & Writing
- Research, report, and write timely sports news stories, features, profiles, and reports.
- Cover games, tournaments, press conferences, and sports-related events.
- Write clean, engaging, and accurate content for print, digital, and social media platforms.
- Meet tight deadlines while maintaining journalistic integrity.
Interviewing & Source Development
- Conduct interviews with athletes, coaches, sports executives, and other stakeholders.
- Build and maintain reliable sources within the sports community.
- Gather quotes, background information, and context to enhance stories.
Digital & Multimedia Content
- Produce digital-friendly content including live updates, social posts, and breaking news alerts.
- Capture photos or videos when needed, or collaborate with multimedia teams.
- Participate in podcasts, video segments, or live streams when required.
Research & Analysis
- Monitor sports trends, statistics, team performance, and league developments.
- Analyze game results, player performance, and newsworthy topics.
- Fact-check all information and maintain high accuracy standards.
Collaboration
- Work closely with editors and visual teams on story planning, page layout, and digital presentation.
- Pitch story ideas, contribute to editorial calendars, and participate in team meetings.
- Support long-form projects, investigative pieces, or special coverage.
Skills & Qualifications
- Proven experience as a sports journalist or reporter (published samples required).
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Deep knowledge of sports, rules, statistics, and industry trends.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
- Strong interviewing, research, and analytical skills.
- Familiarity with CMS systems, social media platforms, and digital publishing tools.
- Multimedia capabilities (photo, video, podcasting) are a plus.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel for sports coverage.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Sports Media, or related field preferred.
- Portfolio of published sports journalism work is required.
- Experience in a newsroom or media environment strongly preferred.
Eligibility to Work in the United States
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring employer-sponsored work authorization now or in the future.
Work Environment
- Fast-paced newsroom and field reporting environment.
- Frequent travel to sporting events, games, practices, and interviews.
- Requires working outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Exposure to outdoor climates when covering live sports events.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[Your Company Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Additional Information
- This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and may not include all duties.
- Responsibilities may be reassigned as newsroom needs evolve.
- Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.
- Pre-employment background checks, writing tests, or assignment samples may be required.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and 3–5 writing samples or a link to your portfolio to [Insert Application Email or Link].
Sports Journalist Job Description for Resume
If you have worked before as a sports journalist or are presently working in that role and are making a resume or CV for a new job, then you can create a compelling Professional Experience for your resume by applying the sample sports journalist job description provided above.
You can express the duties and responsibilities you have carried out as a sport journalist in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above sports journalist job description example.
This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful working as a sports journalist, which can boost your chances of getting the new job, especially if it requires someone with some sports journalist work experience.
Conclusion
This post has provided detailed coverage of the sports journalist job description, highlighting the major responsibilities and duties that they typically perform.
Individuals interested in the sports journalist career will find this post helpful in learning about what they do.
Also, employers looking to make a detailed job description for use in hiring competent sports journalists will find this article beneficial.
They can actually apply the sports journalist job description template on this page in making one for their organizations.
