How to Become a Sportscaster

Sports fans dream of seeing their image on television or hearing their voice on the radio, giving a running commentary on the game at hand while lending an intelligent opinion to the attentive sports community. The road to walk is one of hard work.

Things You'll Need

• College Applications
• VCRs
• Cassette Tape Recorders
• Microphones
• Televisions

Instructions

1. Study journalism in school, with an emphasis on broadcasting.

2. Take classes that teach good writing. "Writing is such a critical part of what occurs on television," says veteran ESPN color analyst Larry Conley. "It can enhance your position."

3. Have a true passion for sports. "I say that in the absolute strongest terms," Conley says. "If what you're trying to do is simply go on air and become someone who is just doing a job, it shows through."

4. Read a great deal, aside from sports books. "I very seldom read a sports book," says Conley, who reads more than a dozen books in the off-season. Read good fiction and nonfiction literature, he says. "There are times you bring the reading into a broadcast."

5. Understand the history of sports. You can speak more intelligently about the present and future if you know the past. This should be mandatory in your reading.

6. Consult with people in the business to gain an understanding of it.

7. Approach the job with a healthy ego. "But also understand that you are only as good as the people you work with because they control your work on air," Conley says.

Tips & Warnings

• Sportscasting can be very time-consuming. "If you're going to be successful, it will take time away from your family," Conley warns. "Don't take that lightly."