A sportscaster I know quit three jobs within fourteen months of graduating college. Each of the jobs was a highly coveted position that received dozens of applicants. None of the three, though, moved him appreciably closer to his goal of television play-by-play.
Our friend has all the ability in the world. What he lacks is intent.
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What’s harder — asking someone on a first date or asking someone you don’t know to critique your demo?
I can give you advice on both, but I’m going to address the latter.
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A radio station sports director in the Midwest is concerned that his employer’s decision to move their play-by-play broadcasts online is going to hurt the legitimacy of his career.
Are those concerns well-founded?
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A small market TV sports director asked me if minor league baseball is the fastest way to network TV play-by-play for all sports.
Joe Davis and Adam Amin are fabulous TV broadcasters who started their careers in minor league baseball. From their examples, though, many young broadcasters now believe that minor league baseball is the best way to network TV play-by-play.
It’s not.Read More
My favorite Whitney Houston song is How Will I Know. I had the cassette in college and listened to it often. I mention it because someone asked me, “How will I know when it’s time to go to a major market?”
They then rephrased the question like this, “Is it better to be freelancing and looking for opportunities while living in my desired market, or should I stay where I am and tough it out while pursuing other opportunities?“
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There’s a young play-by-play announcer doing Division II football and basketball in the northern U.S. He wants to know, “How long before I’m considered a Division I caliber broadcaster?“
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A minor league baseball broadcaster was fired up when a job with a great organization in his home state opened. He knew it was open before it was public knowledge.
What he didn’t know is if he should wait for the team to publish a position description before applying.
Never wait!
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Early in my sportscasting career I sent my demo to a mentor. It was under the guise of wanting feedback but really I wanted praise.
I was crushed when I didn’t get it.
How do you respond when you get negative feedback about your work?
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(In a sleepy, unenergetic voice). “He’s at the 10, the 5, and scampers into the end zone for the touchdown.”
Oh my goodness! Who wants to listen to passionless play-by-play?
Passionless play-by-play is lifeless and boring – and a bored audience tunes out. Here are three tips if you’ve been told you need to increase your play-by-play energy:
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Every time STAA works with Learfield Sports to fill a play-by-play opening, I invariably hear from at least three people who are stunned that they didn’t get an interview. Some of that comes from entitlement or ego but much of it is rooted in impatience.
Here are three keys to help you stay patient in the sports broadcasting job market.
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