Sports Media Career: 10 Powerful Reasons to Get Started Today

Starting Small Can Lead to Something Big

Jorge Marrero. SID at Atlantis University. Professional sports photographer, videographer, video content producer, and independent journalist with over a decade of experience covering independent sports leagues, semi-professional teams, collegiate athletics, and professional organizations from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, USA.

Miami, FL – Sports media is more than just talking heads and highlight reels. It is a vibrant, evolving field where passionate sports fans can build lasting careers as broadcasters, content creators, and journalists. Whether you dream of calling plays or telling stories, there are more ways than ever to break into the industry, and many start closer to home than you might think.

Independent journalist, broadcasting during 2023 Lazarotty Soccer Cup.

Not everyone begins at ESPN or a major league press box, and that’s okay. Some of the best sports media careers begin in small fields with small audiences. Student-run radio stations and college athletics departments are great starting points for aspiring broadcasters, offering the chance to cover games, interview players, and practice live commentary. If you’re a baseball fanatic, Sunday leagues in your city offer a genuine, grassroots opportunity to get behind the mic. High school sports leagues, local soccer clubs, and amateur tournaments are rich environments where you can learn the craft of live sports coverage. What matters most is gaining experience, refining your voice, and learning how to engage an audience in real time.

A Firsthand Look at the Value of Starting Local
Before becoming the Sports Information Director at Atlantis University, I built my foundation in local and amateur leagues, often volunteering to gain hands-on experience and sharpen my skills. My journey began in Barcelona, Spain, where I worked as a photographer and videographer for an amateur soccer league. After relocating to Miami, I expanded my involvement across various sports, covering Futsal, Baseball, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, and Indoor Soccer. I worked with leagues like the Premier Futbol League, semi-professional organizations like the UPSL, and even professional events through Major League Baseball at loanDepot Park.

Interview with the MVP of the Game and His Coaches.

I even documented multi-sport tournaments like Triathlon, MMA, CrossFit, and Squash. Whether I was capturing action shots, writing articles, or analyzing team performance, every role helped me develop as a communicator and observer of the game. These grassroots experiences were foundational to my career and proved that dedication, even in unpaid roles, can open doors to professional opportunities later.

What Sports Broadcasters and Creators Do
Sports broadcasters deliver live game commentary, breaking news, and analysis that informs and entertains fans. They may work on radio, television, podcasts, or digital platforms. Meanwhile, content creators and sports journalists provide in-depth stories, blog posts, video highlights, and social media content that deepen a fan’s connection to the game. These professionals play a significant role in shaping how people understand and experience sports. The field now includes everything from traditional journalism to TikTok commentary and YouTube sports analysis. According to the University of Kansas, the industry increasingly values versatility, creativity, and cross-platform communication skills.

The independent sports journalist Jorge Lavecchia interviewed a soccer player during the Lazarotty Soccer Cup.

Education Can Amplify Your Impact
While passion can get you started, education gives you the tools to grow. The Bachelor of Science in Sports Management at Atlantis University helps aspiring professionals build a foundation in sports media, business, marketing, and event management. You’ll learn how to manage media relations, create digital content, and understand the operational side of sports organizations. This program blends academic knowledge with real-world application, including internships and industry projects, preparing graduates to lead in this competitive field.

Why Now Is the Right Time

This is a transformative moment in sports media. Technology has lowered the barrier to entry, and there are now more channels and formats to work in than ever before. Local games stream online. Fans follow teams through Instagram Reels. Podcasts analyze youth leagues. The bottom line: You don’t need to wait to start. Call your local high school football game. Launch a YouTube recap series. Write about your local league. Every step builds your skills and your resume.

Understanding the Role of a Sports Broadcaster
A sports broadcaster provides coverage and analysis of sporting events for television, radio, or online media. They play a critical role in bringing sports to a wide audience, providing viewers with play-by-play commentary, analysis, and interviews with athletes, coaches, and other sports experts.

A cameraman films Miami Marlins players during the 2023 season.

Necessary Skills for Success
To succeed in sports broadcasting, one must possess exceptional public speaking skills with a pleasing voice, good pronunciation, solid timing, and a witty personality. Writing skills are essential, as most sportscasters must write their own material for presenting on the air. Research skills are crucial because sports broadcasters must find up-to-date information on the latest sports topics to comment on during the broadcast. Interpersonal skills are vital for interviewing guests, interacting with other broadcasters, and answering phone calls on air. Technical skills are also necessary, especially for radio broadcasters operating computers and editing equipment.

Educational Pathways
Although the educational qualifications vary greatly, most sports broadcasters have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year higher learning institution. Aspiring sportscasters often choose to receive an undergraduate major in communications, broadcasting, journalism, radio and television, media, or mass communications.

Salary Expectations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys was $21.96 in May 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.50, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63.36. In particular, broadcasters in the spectator sports industry earn significantly higher than average at $97,660 annually. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and shape the future of enterprise- register here today.

Opportunities After Graduation
Graduates of Sports Management programs with a media focus often go on to work as sports broadcasters, sideline reporters, digital content producers, social media managers, podcast hosts, and media relations specialists. Many land roles with professional teams, college programs, local sports networks, or independent media startups. Others carve out their own paths as freelancers or influencers in the digital sports world.

Make Your Move into Sports Media
A career in sports media is not only possible, it’s achievable, and it can begin wherever you are. Start in your community, sharpen your skills, and pursue the education that separates you. Whether you aim to become a team broadcaster, a content creator for a pro franchise, or an independent journalist, the demand for talented communicators continues to grow. Consider earning your Bachelor of Science in Sports Management at Atlantis University if you’re serious about turning your passion into a profession. It could be the key to your future in broadcasting, journalism, or digital media.

Become a student at Atlantis University