(May 21, 2019) Steve Granado left his day job this year to focus on making his sports broadcasting goals a reality. With his bank account dwindling, Granado’s bet on himself has paid off. An STAA member, Granado is the new Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Wilson Tobs.
The Tobs are members of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League.
“I’m excited to break into collegiate sports after covering high school sports and Minor League Baseball for the last five years,” Granado says.
Granado was the lead broadcaster for the Boise Hawks in 2016 and the No. 2 for the West Virginia Power the following summer. He’s freelanced for a variety of sports in Southern California since graduating from Cal State University Fullerton in 2015.
Granado learned of the Tobs opportunity through STAA. Earning the job represented a breakthrough after not hearing back from several employers. “It’s weird,” he says. “I have been hearing that my emails were starting to go to [employer’s] spam folders. Even the email I sent to the Tobs went to GM Mike Bell’s spam. I followed up with a phone call (as I always do) and luckily he answered.”
Besides keeping his applications out of spam folders, the hardest part of the sportscasting job market for Granado has been getting employers to review his work. “I knew if someone actually looked at my work, they’d realize I was a worthy applicant. I know my value, and that’s what’s been so infuriating in not getting positions over the last few years.”
Granado has been at STAA member since 2016. “It’s how I stay informed of the industry,” he smiles.
His advice to anyone joining STAA is to use the entirety of the membership. “Utilize the resources to improve your broadcasting. Find some new prep elements and see what you like. I’ve tied some of the elements and learned what I needed and what I didn’t need, then modified those templates to my liking (spot sheets, etc.).”
(Visit Steve’s website).