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A question for everyone

By kirbygarlitos, Section Journals
Posted on Wed May 30 2007 at 11:53 PM EST Printer Friendly Page
More on: Sports writing, sports journalism, sports (all tags)

Hi everyone!

I would like to ask everyone on how it takes to become a sports journalist in the US. It's been a dream of mine for a long time to cover a lot of the sporting events in America, including the NFL and NBA.

I ask this because I believe some of you guys can give some pretty good insights on how to get there.

I am currenty work for a PR company as a writer and I write for various magazines on the side.

The most plausible scenario for me is to go to a sports journalism school in America and see where it leads from there.
But since I live on the other side of the world, it's easier said than done.

I will really appreciate any sort of feedback. Whether it's positive or negative, although I'd prefer the former, comments are most welcome.

Thank you guys!

Kirby Garlitos


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A question for everyone | 4 comments (4 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
My advice...... (#1)
by Trevor on Thu May 31 2007 at 7:23 PM EST
If I were you I would keep writing for sportscolumn as much as possible.  People do notice you here.  Accept anything that gets tossed your way from a bigger site.  I'm currently working as an "analyst" for water polo for College Sports TV.  Granted, I played water polo, but the point being is that you gotta get yourself in the door.  Now they got me in for water polo, I at least know who to beg, plead, bribe, etc. to let me cover college basketball (which is what I aspire to cover on a full-time basis).

"No, cause it ain't sh*t. Ain't nothing but 10 grand. What's 10 grand to me? Ain't sh*t ... Next time I might shake my d*ck." --Randy Moss
Re: My advice (#2)
by kirbygarlitos on Sun Jun 03 2007 at 11:34 AM EST
Thanks for the tips Trevor. I've been accepting writing gigs left and right, not because of the monetary compensation, but more for the exposure it gives me.

I appreciate you taking the time out to give me suggestions. I hope that we can kee our lines open and correspond in the future.

Thanks again!

P.S. Likewise, I wish you luck on your goal of covering college basketball.

Kirby

[ Parent ]

My take (#3)
by Garrett Rudolph on Tue Jun 05 2007 at 6:17 PM EST
I would have to say I am in a very similar position as both of you, and tend to agree with what Trevor says... keep writing as much as possible for as many different outlets as you can... the exposure is invaluable.

I got a job writing for Rivals.com, in large part because the editor was able to read the work I had done on Sportscolumn. So, in turn, my weekly MLB Power Rankings article (which is not a paid position) lead to a position that is paid, which, with a little luck, will lead to another position which pays better, or allows me to cover my preference of topics.

However, I would say a degree in journalism is not a bad idea. I have a degree in English, and I've found that some doors are closed because some people look first and foremost at that little piece of paper and not at your writing ability or sports knowledge.

Good luck...

advice (#4)
by Giantsfan227 on Mon Jul 23 2007 at 1:32 PM EST
basically what I did is I googled a bunch of different fantasy football sites, because that is what I like to write about best. Then after going on many different sites, I emailed the editor for all of them and asked if any positions were open and all that stuff and sent a sample article. Of course, some websites don't need any extra help at the time but I did get accepted at a few of them and was writing for www.fantasyalliance.com and from there your oppurtunies are endless

[ Parent ]
A question for everyone | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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