Sportswriters

Employers

Sportswriters are employed by newspapers, magazines, and Web sites throughout the world. They may cover professional teams based in large cities or high school teams located in tiny towns. Sportswriters also work as freelance writers. According to the Department of Labor, there were 49,800 news analysts, reporters, and journalists, including sportswriters, employed in the United States in May 2024.

Starting Out

Many sportswriters begin their careers by working as stringers covering the games or matches that no else wants to or can cover. Stringers don't earn much money, but the experience may lead to covering bigger and better games and teams. Some sportswriters make a living out of covering sports for very small towns; others only work at those jobs until they have gained the experience to move on.

Most journalists start their careers by working in small markets—little towns and cities with local papers. After a year or two they move on to larger papers in bigger towns and cities. Sportswriters for newspapers follow the same routine, and many pursue areas other than sports because there are few job openings in sports. The lucky few who hang on to a small sports beat can often parlay that beat into a better position by sticking with the job and demonstrating a devotion to the sport, even cultivating a following of loyal fans. This could lead to a full-time column.

Entry-level sportswriters take advantage of opportunities to learn more about athletes and sports in general. Becoming an expert on a little-known but rapidly growing sport may be one way to do this. For example, learning about mountain biking, and getting a job with a magazine on mountain biking.

Competition for full-time jobs with magazines as a sportswriter is just as keen as it is for major newspapers. Sportswriters will write articles and pitch them to major magazines, hoping that when an opening comes, they will have first crack at it. Still, most sportswriters move into the world of sports magazines after they've proven themselves in newspaper sportswriting. It is possible, however, to get a job with a sports magazine straight from college or graduate school, but usually starting as an intern or assistant working up from there.