Do You Need a License to Be a Sports Analyst?
The job of sports analyst can be something a low-profile as the person providing sports commentary for a high school football game or as high-profile as the personalities who appear on ESPN for live sporting events. The job of a sports analyst is to provide insight, commentary and inside knowledge about a specific team or game. Some of the most well-known television sports analysts include Mel Kiper Jr. and Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN, Charles Barkley of TNT former professional golfer Nick Faldo and Dan Patrick, formerly of ESPN. Although becoming a sports analyst takes a specific skill set and training, a license is not required to do the job.
Other People Are Reading
-
College Degree
-
The standard for most reporters and analysts is a bachelor's degree, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A degree in communication or journalism is not required, although more than 1,500 colleges offered journalism-related programs in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Internships and part-time work helps students to advance in the field.
Professional Sports Career
-
A major springboard to a career in sports analysis is a former professional sports career. Some of the top analysts on TV today -- Steve Young (National Football League), Troy Aikman (NFL), Jalen Rose (National Basketball Association) and Al Leiter (Major League Baseball) -- were top athletes in their sports first. Other analysts also worked as top-tier coaches. Former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets coach Eric Mangini joined ESPN in the 2011 season as a studio analyst for the NFL, and former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden joined the cast of “Monday Night Football” in 2009.
-
Work Experience
-
Working sports analysts say work experience is one of the most important tools in getting a job. Take any job, Suzanne Lainson for the newsletter Sports News You Can Use. She recommends meeting people in person when looking for a job and to volunteer for tasks, such as filling in for someone's vacation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers say real-world experience is the top factor in hiring; take part-time or freelance jobs as necessary to get that experience.
Necessary Skills
-
Writing skills are key, according to Lainson. She quotes Patrick, who wrote in his book "The Big Show" that “the mental skills honed by writing are essential” even if you are not doing any actual writing for the job. Voice skills are also important if you plan to provide analysis for television or radio -- they are less important but communication is still necessary for those in the newspaper business. Analysts must be able to communicate clearly to an audience. Finally, Lainson, suggests that every appearance counts. So always look your best and work hard.
-
References
- Photo Credit Chris McGrath/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
