Sports news today has become as important as any other news. It is no longer a special feature only given to the sports department of a newspaper. Now, sports coverage is almost as prevalent in sports online as it is in print. All major sports leagues have dedicated sections for sports news and information. This news is geared towards the fanciers (read sports fans) who watch or follow various sporting events. The news and features are most informative and usually contain information on sports teams, players, injuries, news from the bench, coaching decisions and much more.
Sports journalism is now a mainstream form of reporting which reports on things pertaining to sports and sporting events. Sports journalism began in the late 1800s when it initially was aimed at the upper class and then gradually transitioned to a part of the general news business with daily newspapers having devoted sports sections to them. Today, there are dozens of newspapers worldwide which exclusively cater to sports enthusiasts and offer up-to-date reports and sports news analysis. Sports journalism has evolved over time into what we know it to be today.
The birth of sports journalism is credited to the rise of the first professional sport – American football. Professional football in the United States had existed since the start of professionalism in 1875. At that point, the sports section of a newspaper was not given its title until the turn of the twentieth century. As time went by, sports journalists began to be referred to as sports reporters. This was done to separate them from regular sports correspondents and eliminate confusion between the two.
Sports journalism today includes writers from all disciplines of sports. The sports department of a newspaper covers everything from baseball to rugby and from golf to ice skating. Many sports writers are employed by professional teams who provide regular reports and commentaries on events taking place within the team or within the sports itself. There are also sports correspondents who cover major international sports and provide up-to-the-minute information on the progress of teams during sporting events.
Some famous sports journalists have contributed towards the growth of sports journalism awards. They include Jack Armstrong and Carl Thorson for their reporting on the Canadian Football League; John Leyritz for his coverage of the U.S. Olympic Games; Glen Johnson for his reporting on the civil war in Burma; John King for his reporting on the civil war in Vietnam; Ted Koppel for his reporting on the shuttle accident at the Space Shuttle launch; and Patrick Doyle for his reporting on the Pan Am Games. These individuals and numerous others have won numerous awards for their work. These individuals and their work have helped to develop the career field into one where writers are highly sought after for their ability to provide breaking sports news.
In addition to writing about sporting events, many sports journalists have also found work as freelance reporters and feature writers for websites that focus on a specific sport or event. These professionals can be found by using online resources, by looking through classifieds advertisements, or by contacting professional sports organizations in order to find work. Sports journalism jobs are highly competitive, and the ability to pick up the beat quickly and keep up with the changing sports trends is a necessity for success. If you have the ability to pick up the latest trends and connect with a cross section of the world’s population then you have an excellent opportunity to build a successful career in sports journalism.