How much do sports journalists make?
Sports journalism is a good choice of career for those passionate about reporting on sporting events. If you are considering this field, you might be wondering about the earning potential, required qualifications, and daily responsibilities. Let’s break it down.
What does a sports journalist earn?
The national average salary for a journalist is £25,344 per year; however, salaries can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the size of the publication or organisation. Entry-level sports journalists usually start on the lower end of the scale, while senior journalists or those working for larger companies can earn significantly more. Freelancers can also have variable incomes depending on the number of articles or projects they complete or the number of contracts they acquire.
What qualifications are needed?
To become a sports journalist, you will typically need:
- A degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or some other form of qualification. Sports journalism courses from providers such as https://schoolofjournalism.co.uk/journalism-courses/sports will help you in your career.
- Strong writing and storytelling skills.
- Knowledge of and passion for sports, including their rules and history.
- Digital media skills, such as video editing and social media management. These are increasingly important in modern journalism.
- Shorthand skills, usually to a level of 100 words per minute.
What does a sports journalist do?
Sports journalists cover games, write reports, and provide in-depth analysis of the teams, players, and the sports industry. Their tasks often include:
- Attending live sports events and conducting interviews with athletes and coaches.
- Writing match reports, feature articles, and opinion pieces.
- Managing deadlines to produce accurate content to strict deadlines.
- Using social media or digital content such as podcasts to engage with their audiences and share their stories. Many sports journalists interact with their audience through social media or live Q&A sessions to build an online community of followers.
- Respond to breaking news and stay ahead of the latest developments in the sports world.
Sports journalists may work for newspapers, online outlets, TV channels, or radio stations, adapting their content to different formats.
