Job Description of a Sports Broadcaster

To someone who loves sports, a position in the field of sports broadcasting is often a dream job. While the high-profile sportscasters we see on TV or hear on national radio shows are typically very well-compensated, the road to that level usually begins in a small market with a very low salary.

Reporting

Researching and putting together packaged stories from the field is the basic skill that every sportscaster must have. The ability to deliver strong interviews, both live and on tape, is a crucial part of the job.

Editing

Once interview recordings are brought together, sports broadcasters need to be able to edit the tape and build compelling packaged stories that are ready to air. The ability to put the final package together to tell a great story in a big part of the daily workload.

Radio

Many sports broadcasters spend a good deal of their time talking on the radio. Whether it be a live show, fielding calls from fans or interviewing sports personalities or providing scores and reports for the radio, the ability to communicate with only your voice is a must.

On the Set

Sitting behind a desk delivering sports news and commentary at a local news station, a national sports station or delivering analysis at a live game event, much of the workload at the higher end of the sports broadcasting business comes on the studio set. This aspect of the job requires the ability to remember facts and figures and think on the fly.

Play-By-Play

Whether it be on the radio or television, some of the best-known sportscasters are those who call the games. While it may seem easy to sit and describe the games, this is one of the most demanding positions in the field. A great deal of background work is required to know what to expect and prepare yourself to tell the story of the game as it unfolds before you. Knowledge of numerous different sports is also required to give the broadcaster the flexibility to expand to covering more than just a single type of event.

References

• Getschooled: Sportscaster Job Description