Sportscasting Resources

We thought it would be helpful to create a resource page that you can always come to for all of your sportscasting needs. Every last one of these resources has come recommended to us, or has been produced by STAA. In fact, most of the descriptions written below are unsolicited testimonials from sportscasters who have used the products and services.

We’ll add to the list as we learn more, but you’ll notice that in the future we will refer to this page quite often. We recommend bookmarking it for your reference and convenience. Enjoy!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the companies below pay STAA to be included on this page. Understand, though, that we have experience with all of these companies, or they have been recommended to us by colleagues. We suggest them to you because they are helpful and useful. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

BOOKS

• The Baseball Thesaurus: It’s full of words and phrases to help you vary your vocabulary so your broadcasts stay fresh. It is also packed with cool anecdotes to keep your broadcasts interesting and unique.
• I Love the Work But I Hate the Business: Learn the traps to avoid in your sports broadcasting career from a veteran MLB and NBA voice.
• Additional Books for Sports Broadcasters: The eight books we recommend all sportscasters should read.

CAREER ADVICE

• Sportscasting Summit: Q&A video sessions with Jim Nantz, Beth Mowins, Kevin Harlan, Chuck Swirsky, Tracy Wolfson, Ian Eagle, Bob Costas, Kevin Kugler, and Pat Hughes.
• STAA TV: Gain insight on how to build your own sportscasting career with these interviews featuring industry professionals.
• Download Tips From Experts: Little things make a big difference. You will be stronger on the air and in the sportscasting job market with these mp3 audio downloads from big name talent and employers.

EQUIPMENT

    Headsets

• Senheiser HMD-26: The industry standard for headsets is Sennheisers. If you watch any NFL on TV, most of them are still using HMD-25s, which are not made any more. The HMD-26 is the new version. It is pricey (~$450) but they sound great.
• Audio-Technica BPHS1: This broadcast stereo headset is especially recommended. Pro quality for a great price. If you’re looking for value, you won’t find another headset that’s as good in terms of quality for that price. I’ve also seen them pop up here and there on higher-level broadcasts.

    Mikes

• Sennheiser 421: The best, but pricey. Used by a number of MLB clubs, including Atlanta.
• Shure’s VP-64: An outstanding hand mike.

    Mixers

• Behringer XENYX Q802USB: A four pot mixer that is used by multiple STAA clients.
• Behringer 1202: Another mixer with four pre-amps — enough for three broadcasters and a crowd mike.
• Peavey PV6 USB: Popular in minor league baseball.
• PodcastStudio USB: A very good setup for podcasters. Has a great mic and a mixer.

    Recorders

• TASCAM DR-05: Battery life is excellent, and at $100 it’s worth the money.
• ZOOM H1: Easy to download audio for editing. Connects to your computer via USB cable.

INTERNET STREAMING HOSTS

• Audio Sports Online: Especially popular among sportscasters doing high school and small college play-by-play on the Internet. It isn’t free, but it’s affordable and the audio quality and customer service are outstanding.
• MixLR: A very popular free online streaming service in some junior hockey leagues without annoying ads in mid-broadcast. On the flip side, you only get so many free hours of it and then you either have to erase files or buy premium.
• Live Steam: Again, great for play-by-play. Its free with no ads and 30-day event archive. Or you can pay just $49 per month for unlimited event archive.
• UStream:Great for Internet play-by-play. They provide HD streaming video, to all devices. It’s free if you don’t mind the occasional ad popping up in your broadcast. Otherwise, plans with no ads start at $99 per month. Shoot, that’s only $25 per game if you are doing high school football every Friday night.
• Spreaker: If you want to polish your sports talk show hosting skills but aren’t currently on the air, Spreaker is a great alternative. They’ll help you create and host your podcast.
• StreamYard: This one was recommended to us. StreamYard is a live streaming studio in your browser. Good for interview guests then streaming directly to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms.

PLAY-BY-PLAY BROADCASTING

• Spot Charts & Stat Sheets: Deliver a more organized, higher quality broadcast these various spotting charts, stat sheets, thesauruses and the famous STAA Play-by-Play Pyramid.

PODCASTING HOSTS

• LibSyn: It’s inexpensive and they don’t charge for bandwidth. They charge only for storage and it costs as little as $5 per month. It will also submit your podcast to iTunes.
• Soundcloud: A great free storage option but doesn’t have a lot of features.

SPORTS TALK SHOWS

• Free Downloads: Develop content that your listeners can’t get anywhere else with the Topic Tree and the STAA Sports Talk Pyramid.
• Prep Links: Instantly improve the content of your show with these websites that are used by the industry’s most successful hosts.