World Sports Journalists Day

Sports journalism is an essential element of any news media organization. Sports writers must have a foundation in competition coverage and analysis, as well as an understanding of sports as entertainment. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Growth (2012-2022) - 14% (decline) for reporters and correspondents; Average Salary (May 2013) - $44,360 for reporters and correspondents.

World Sports Journalists Day is a global professional observance held on July 2. It was established by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of its foundation to commemorate the creation of AIPS and to celebrate the achievements of members of the sporting media. It aims at encouraging sports journalists to strive for excellence in their work and to set an example to the world – not only to the world of sport, but to the world at large.

The International Sports Press Association, AIPS, was founded in 1924 during the Olympic Games in Paris, at the headquarters of the Sporting Club de France, by Frantz Reichel, the press chief of the Paris Games, and the Belgian Victor Boin. AIPS operates through a system of continental sub-associations and national associations, and liaises closely with some of the world’s biggest sports federations, including the International Olympic Committee, football’s world governing body FIFA, and the IAAF, the international track and field body.

The term “sports journalism” refers to a form of writing that reports on sporting topics, it is an essential element of any news media organization. There are a lot of national and local associations of sports journalists aimed at maintaining high standards of sports journalism.

In order to become a sports writer, you need to possess excellent written communication skills and a strong array of sports knowledge. Bachelor’s degrees in English, journalism or communications are generally ideal; however, some successful sports writers receive training in other sports fields. You can obtain additional training and experience by contributing to local high school, college or community sports sections in newspapers or magazines. Constantly writing new articles and increasing your variety of experience will help prepare you for future opportunities.

Source: wikipedia.org | aipsmedia.com | learn.org | sussle.org

They should have a rule: in order to be a sportswriter, you have to have played that sport, at some level; high school, college, junior college, somewhere. Or, you should have had to have been around the game for a long time.

Oscar Robertson

Sportswriters have changed more than sportswriting.

Dick Schaap

My real heroes have always been sportswriters.

Dan Jenkins

A sportswriter’s life means never sitting with your wife or family at the games. Still working after everyone has gone to the party... Digging beneath a coach’s lies, not to forget those of athletic directors and general managers and owners of pro teams. Keeping a confidence. Risking it.

Dan Jenkins

Them sportswriters don’t even know how to put uniforms on, most of ’em.

Eric Dickerson