The first thing you need to become a sports broadcaster is sports broadcasting experience. You can’t get a job without demonstration of ability.
The college degree route
The best place to get sportscasting experience is in college. Enroll in a four-year school that offers a broadcasting curriculum.
Be sure the school has a campus radio and/or TV station. You’ll need samples from your on-air work to share with employers in the sportscasting job market.
You’ll also be pleasantly surprised at how valuable the knowledge you gain in pursuit of your degree will directly benefit your sportscasting.
These three not-so-obvious classes will help you become a sports broadcaster:
- Fundamentals of acting
- Speech
- Debate
The non-degree route
If you don’t have the time or money to earn a degree, then enroll in broadcasting-related classes at a four-year school or community college. Again, be sure the school has a campus radio station.
If you don’t have the time or money to take any college classes, you will need to create your own opportunities. Here are four ways to do it:
- Host your own Internet play-by-play broadcast of local high school or small college games. You don’t have to worry if you are any good. If you are your own boss, you can hire anyone you want to broadcast the games.
- Sit in the stands with your audio recorder at local games to practice your play-by-play.
- Podcasting is a valuable option for getting reps as a sports talk host.
- Aspiring sports update anchors can practice anywhere they have a recording device.
Solicit feedback!
Your practice is wasted time unless someone is telling you what you need to do to improve. Seek critiques from people already working in the sports broadcasting industry. It’s even okay to ask people you don’t know. Most sportscasters have had someone help them along they way. They’re glad to pay it forward to you in your pursuit to become a sports broadcaster.
As you can see, there are multiple options for becoming a sports broadcaster. Once you have your experience, you put together your demo and you’re ready to start seeking your first sports broadcasting job!
