How to Become a Sports Writer
Have you ever dreamed of being a sports writer? Freelance sports writing is an exciting niche that allows you to combine a love of sports with a passion for writing. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of one particular sport or have a broader interest in multiple sports, there’s a place for your unique voice in this industry.
In this post, we’ll tell you:
- What sports writing is
- What a sports writer does
- How to become a sports writer in four easy-to-follow steps
Let’s dive in!
What Is Sports Writing?
In simple terms, freelance sports writing is any type of writing that discusses sports. A sports writer may focus on one sport in particular or cover a number of different sports. They may also write about sports more generally, for example, providing insights into the sports industry as a whole.
Depending on the context, the intended audience could be dedicated sports fans (e.g., an article in a subscription-only sports magazine) or the general public (e.g., a column in a national newspaper).
Sports writing can be featured in newspapers and magazines, on websites, in broadcast media, and in other publications. Examples include:
- Interviews (e.g., an article from The Guardian where a newly appointed Brazil coach talks about his upcoming game against England at Wembley)
- Athlete profiles (e.g., this database from World Athletics)
- Opinion pieces (e.g., this article from The Athletic about why a certain player will likely win Rookie of the Year)
- Feature articles (e.g., an in-depth story from The New York Times about how a talented athlete had a lasting impact on women’s basketball)
- Behind-the-scenes (e.g., this humorous list of stories from Bleacher Report)
- Historical or cultural examinations (e.g., The Strangest Sports Stories In History featured in History Collection, including a tale about a dead jockey who won a horse race)
What Does a Sports Writer Do?
If you want to get sports writing jobs, it helps to be passionate about sports. And aside from the obvious – excellent writing skills – you’ll need a keen eye for detail, great communication skills, high self-motivation, and strong time management. You’ll need to write insightful stories that engage the reader and educate them about the sports they are interested in.
Here are some of the duties that a sports writer typically performs:
- Attending sporting events. Sports writers will attend sporting events such as pre-game shows and matches. The purpose is to observe and analyze what’s happening in order to get information for a story. This might include pre- and post-game analysis and insights on player performance. It can also include press conferences, player announcements, or other team events where you can gather quotes and additional background.
- Conducting interviews. Athletes, coaches, bystanders, and other officials can be interviewed before, during, or after the event in order to gain extra insights and quotes for content.
- Staying up to date. In the world of sports, a lot can change in a short amount of time. In order to get good sports writing jobs and produce timely content, you’ll need to keep current with sports-related news, trends, and developments. This could involve following social media updates, reading press releases, or tracking athlete stats and standings.
- Writing content. The key duty of the sports writer is crafting engaging, informative, and entertaining narratives that will appeal to the intended audience. This includes being able to conduct research and tell your story in a clear and concise way. It might also involve adapting your style to different formats such as news stories, features, or opinion pieces.
- Checking facts. Accuracy is essential in any type of content writing, and sports writing is no exception. Any sports statistics or factual data may need to be verified to make sure they are as accurate as possible. Given that sports fans are often deeply knowledgeable, errors can quickly damage credibility.
- Meeting deadlines. Most fans want to know what’s happening in the world of sports as soon as possible. Getting assignments finished and ready for publication on time is essential, especially when you’re covering live events or breaking news.
How to Become a Sports Writer
If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re already interested in sports and writing. That’s the perfect first step! Apart from your passion for sports, here’s what you should do next to get your ideal sports writing jobs.
1. Educate Yourself
No formal degree is required to become a freelance sports writer, but education in journalism, writing, communications, or English can be useful. Exposure to basic journalistic practices, such as verifying sources and adhering to ethical standards, can give you a strong foundation.
The most important thing is to learn how to research and write your content. There are lots of different freelance writing courses that can help you get up to speed with the basics of good writing. You might also consider attending workshops or seminars focused on sports journalism, which often offer valuable insights into the industry.
2. Develop Your Skills
The best way to become a better writer is to practice as much as possible. Read other people’s sports writing to learn about best practices, and try to develop your own unique tone of voice. Writing blog posts, contributing to community newspapers, or even just writing short articles to share with friends and family are great ways to develop your skills.
Another valuable approach is to keep an informal “sports log” or journal where you practice summarizing and analyzing games, player performances, or major sports news stories. This can help refine your ability to capture details and communicate them effectively and succinctly.
3. Build a Portfolio
This follows naturally from the practice mentioned in step two. Once you have done some sports writing, you can start to build your freelance writing portfolio. Your portfolio should showcase your talents and highlight some of your best pieces of content. Remember, your portfolio doesn’t need to be only composed of paid work. Anything you have written while developing your skills can be included.
If you’re having trouble finding paid work right away, internships and volunteer writing opportunities can give you hands-on experience working alongside professional sports writers. These experiences also help you build credibility and secure references in the industry.
Another excellent way to develop your portfolio is to start your own sports blog. By creating and running your own blog, you’ll have total freedom to choose topics, refine your style, and showcase your work to potential clients. For a step-by-step guide on how to get started, check out our post on How to Start a Sports Blog.
4. Network
This is an important step for any writer and is especially important for freelance sports writing. Build your network by connecting with sports writers, broadcasters, editors, publishers, and other professionals.
This can be done through:
- Being active on social media (e.g., X – previously Twitter – is widely used by sports writers)
- Engaging in online forums (such as SportsJournalists.com)
- Attending sporting events, press conferences, or sports writing workshops
- Joining a professional association (such as the Associated Press Sports Editors in the US or The Sports Journalists’ Association in the UK)
Connecting with the right people not only helps you learn more about the field, it also increases the likelihood of hearing about new opportunities. A well-timed introduction or referral can be invaluable when you’re looking to pitch your work or land an assignment.
5. Apply for Jobs
Once you have completed the first four steps, it’s time to get some sports writing jobs! At the time of writing, employment websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter have hundreds of freelance sports writing opportunities. You can set up job alerts, tailor your resume to each listing, and apply strategically for roles that match your expertise.
There are also many websites, blogs, and print publications that accept pitches from freelance writers. Do some research into what’s available in your niche, then start crafting your pitches. Most publications will have a specific submissions process, so make sure you follow their instructions. You might have to start out at smaller publications, but as you gain experience, more opportunities will open up for you.
If you’re looking for places to submit your sports writing, have a look at our blog post on Sports Writing Jobs: 20 Publications That Will Pay You To Write. From specialized sports magazines to broader media outlets, this resource highlights some of the best options for freelancers looking to make a name in sports writing.
Becoming A Freelance Writer
As mentioned above, one of the most important steps in securing sports writing jobs is to make sure you have the right skills. We have a course that can teach you everything you need to know!
Becoming A Freelance Writer will show you how to research, outline, write, and redraft compelling content. Plus, achieve 80% or more in the final assignment, and you’ll have the opportunity to write three pieces of content for our blog. Why not try it for free right now?
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