by Gary
McLaren
Sports
writing is always in demand.
Right now, in
cities and towns everywhere, people are
reading about sports. They are checking
scores. They are reviewing player selections
for the coming match.
If you would
like to be a sports writer there are certain
to be some opportunities in your region.
Sports
writing is hard work. It’s not all about
rubbing shoulders with Tiger Woods (!) or
your favorite sports stars although you may
get to interview some of them. The reality
of sports writing is that you will often be
working extremely hard to meet tight
deadlines. And the pay, for starting sports
writers anyway, is not something to get too
excited about.
Nevertheless
it can be an
effective way to build your resume. You may
get to meet some famous stars and your
friends will be envious of your seat in the
press box.
The main types of sports writing are event
coverage, human interest stories,
interviews, and columns.
For most of
these types of writing you will need to be
neutral, objective and
fair. However sports columnists
are paid to give their opinion. Typically
columnists have many years of experience and
their opinion is already respected in
sporting circles.
The primary
markets for sports writing are newspapers.
The sports pages are usually one of the
most-read sections of a newspaper. There
are also opportunities for sports writers to
write for magazines and sporting web sites.
While
newspapers and sports publications do work
with freelancers, a large percentage of
sports writing is produced by writers on
staff. Major newspapers have their own
sports section and even local papers usually
have someone covering local sporting news.
If you would
like a full-time sports writing job then you
could start looking at newspapers and
sporting magazines, but keep in mind that
many leagues, sports associations, and
professional teams also employ full-time
writers.
Occasionally
you may be asked to provide photos to
accompany an article. If you are a
photojournalist you will be able to combine
sports photography with your writing.
Otherwise you may be able to team up with a
photographer. Sometimes the sports teams
will supply photos that you may be allowed
to use with your article.
Tips for
Sports Writers
1. You must
know the game.
It is essential to have a solid
understanding of the rules of the sport you
are covering.
2. You must be able to meet deadlines.
Deadlines are critical when you are sports
writing for newspapers. Often there is very
little time from the end of a match until
the deadline for the next morning's
newspaper.
3. You must
be able to tell a story.
With event coverage you must do more than
report a result. Your job is to tell the
story of what happened. As someone once
explained
to sportswriter Larry Whiteside, "A box
score can say there was a line drive, but it
doesn't say that a fan touched it or that it
snaked around a wall. It doesn't say what
anybody said or what anybody felt."
4. Consider your angle.
Sometimes you should get out of the press
box. Otherwise how will you see the game any
differently to the other sports writers?
Watch some games from different angles, for
example with fans in the stands, or near the
coaches or management.
5.
You must be
accurate.
Check your facts on the players and teams to
ensure the statistics you use are correct.
At major events you may be provided with
stats sheets.
6. Check the appropriate style guide.
When writing for newspapers style guides are
important. Check with your editor which
style guide (e.g. APA or MLA) to use.
Sports Writing Markets
Here are a
few examples of paying markets for sports writing,
other than newspapers.
IMPACT MAGAZINE, CANADA
Bimonthly publication covering Calgary's
sport, health, and fitness world. Publishes
content provided by experts in their fields
in the areas of of health, fitness and
performance.
Guidelines:
http://www.impactmagazine.ca/guidelines.html
GOLF TIPS, USA
Magazine with in-depth golf instruction and
equipment.
Guidelines:
http://www.golftipsmag.com/submissions.html
RUNNING TIMES, USA
National magazine for the experienced
running participant and fan. Topics include
improving performance, enhancing enjoyment,
or exploring events, places, and people in
the sport. Also nutrition, psychology, etc.
40% freelance.
Guidelines:
http://www.runningtimes.com/contact/guidelines.htm
SHARING THE
VICTORY, USA
Published nine times a year by the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Combines
athletics and faith, encouraging and
enabling athletes to take their faith
seriously on and off the field.
Guidelines:
http://www.sharingthevictory.com/MediaKit.lsp
CROSS COUNTRY SKIER, CANADA
Readers are active enthusiasts who seek
information about ski trails, resorts,
equipment, technique, competition and
feature reports about cross country skiing.
Guidelines:
http://www.crosscountryskier.com/guidelines.html
BOWLS
INTERNATIONAL, UK
http://www.bowlsinternational.co.uk
Provides bowlers with an ideal blend of
interesting, entertaining, informative and
instructional articles, supported by the
latest news and views from some of the
sport's biggest and influential names.
Guidelines:
http://www.bowlsinternational.co.uk/central/downloads/contributor_guidelines.pdf
There are
more than 180 markets that publish sports
writing in our Markets Plus database, and
around 50 markets in our free database.
Sports
Writing Organizations
Sports
Journalism Institute
http://www.sportsjournalisminstitute.org
International Sports Press Association
http://www.aipsmedia.com
The
National Sportscasters and Sportswriters
Association
http://nssafame.com
Books
 
Associated Press Sports
Writing Handbook by
Steve Wilstein
The Sports Writing Handbook, by Thomas Fensch
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