• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Lights, Camera, Action: 4 Tips to Begin Your Sports Broadcasting Career

sports - broadcasting  

One of the most visible careers in sports business, on-air sports broadcasting can seem as simple as “lights, camera, action!”

Your favorite broadcaster on ESPN, NBC, CBS, or FOX Sports probably makes their job look fun and effortless, reporting live from the sidelines or studio. Yet, with the broadcasting industry on a 14 percent decline by 2024, careers in sports broadcasting are becoming increasingly competitive.

Megan Perry, a former Division I college basketball player and WNBA executive who evolved into a sports broadcaster and entrepreneur, knows just how much effort it takes to have a successful career as an on-air talent.

SEE MORE: Mastering LinkedIn: Personal Branding Tips for Sports Business Professionals

During the college basketball season, Megan can be found in front of the camera as a sports analyst, covering games on ESPN3, ACC Network, CBS Sports Network, and the Ivy League Digital Network. However, most of her time is spent behind the camera, preparing, studying, and perfecting her skillset.

Through her experiences and various vantage points while being immersed in the broadcasting world, Perry was able to identify four specific tips for a successful sports broadcasting career.

Know Your Fundamentals

“My idea of broadcasting was what I saw on TV, a talking head who was prompted to share candid thoughts without any scripting,” said Perry, who quickly discovered that broadcasting is far more than what you see on TV. “To be a good broadcaster, you have to have the fundamentals in place. You have to have an understanding of the details in order to be the best you can be at your craft. The amount of training and educational components, I had no idea.”

SEE MORE: How Social Media is the Key to Your Next Opportunity 

Gaining as much practice as you can through researching teams, informational interviewing, active listening, and — most importantly — public speaking, will allow you to hone your skills and find the story beneath the headline.

Start Small

Landing on-air time with ESPN as your first role likely won’t happen — but that’s OK.

Perry took her career desire and volunteered her time by calling games at St. Francis Brooklyn College, a small private institution in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. She reached out to the athletic department and began to develop her routines and skills that she uses today on the ACC Network.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Practical aspects such as “getting to know the away team just as well as the home team; reaching out and acquiring information from SID’s (Sports Information Directors), and coordinating times to speak to coaches and players are all necessary parts of doing the job well. Conducting research like this takes forward thinking. It’s not where you start, but rather, who you become in the process.”

When looking for your start, leverage social media platforms to gain practice and feedback. Live-video streaming accounted for 75 percent of all internet traffic in 2017 and is expected to jump to 82 percent by 2020. Don’t just attend a sports event, use it as a platform to build to your resume.

Constantly Evolve

It’s one thing to practice; it’s another to improve.

Perry stated that she’s in a constant progression of redefining. “I didn’t fully understand that when I first got into the industry. Every day is a redefining process. Constantly updating, revising, and seeking new opportunities, people to learn from, and spaces to learn in.”

But it’s not just on-air practice for early career sports broadcasters. “Editing and production are a huge part of my unwritten job description. Your resume is your (highlight) reel. It’s not who is going to do that for me, it’s ‘I have to edit.’ That way, I can continue to redefine and evolve my brand as it continues to grow.”

SEE MORE: 4 Ways to Making Breaking Into the #SportsBiz Much Easier

Becoming comfortable with wearing multiple hats is critical to evolving as a sports broadcaster. Knowing enough about how everything should be done gives you a frame of reference and baseline for attention to detail.

“If you know how to do it right,” Perry said, “no one else can do it wrong for you.”

Remain Authentic

Pressure to conform can sometimes cause us to lose the very thing that makes us unique, our authenticity.

“My authenticity is really valued with my interactions on camera,” Perry said. “The relationships I develop are authentic; I want to know your story. I care about it. It’s different. It comes from a perspective that others may not have. I pride myself on those relationships, the work that’s put into getting to know who I’m interviewing. I strive to get to know the person who they are outside of sport.”

Part of remaining authentic is in how we gain access to opportunity.

“Be aggressive about asking questions; no one will know that you’re interested if you don’t (ask questions). Sometimes it’s hard to self-promote and how it’s received by others. But, no one will invest in what you don’t show off. You won’t give them the opportunity to showcase your talent,” Perry said. 

Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that we may not always get every opportunity for which we’re looking. Perry suggested being comfortable with the word “no” — but don’t accept it.

“I sent countless emails to producers and heads of conferences. No, No, No… You can’t be discouraged. Push further. It only takes one ‘yes’ to have an opportunity. Your job is to stay ready. You can’t forecast the moment; shame on you if you weren’t prepared. Don’t stop learning, networking, preparing. The moment can pass you by.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Sports broadcasting can be made out to seem effortless by professionals we see every day, yet, for those looking to break into the field, the journey is far from it. By understanding the fundamentals, starting small, constantly evolving and remaining authentic, you can position yourself to be discovered.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid CF forward Kylian Mbappe (9) reacts after a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

CVC Builds Out Sports Division Amid Crowded PE Market

The firm’s sports portfolio is reportedly worth $13.6 billion.

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Featured Today

Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Tennis
September 5, 2025

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Sponsored

Temple Takes Your Sports Career to the Next Level

If you want to break through to the C-Suite , Temple University’s Executive Master of Science in Sport Business can help you up your game and accelerate your career. 
Sponsored

Networking With Purpose

Investing in the Ohio University PMSA unlocks access to one of the largest sports business alumni networks in the world.
Sponsored

University of San Francisco Is Your Ticket to the Game

Rated the No. 1 Sports Management program in California, USF has been a leader in educating industry professionals for more than 30 years.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sponsored

UMass, McCormack Department of Sport Management Introduce Groundbreaking Women in Business Course

UMass’s Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management has announced the addition of a Women in Business course launching Spring 2021.
Sponsored

Sacred Heart University Gives Athletes and Students Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Professor Matthew F. Moran is training the industry’s next generation of exercise scientists at Sacred Heart University.
Sponsored

Ohio University PMSA Prepares Sports Professionals For New Normal

Two alumni of the Ohio University Professional Master of Sports Administration explain how they feel prepared for the future of sports.
Sponsored

Temple’s Sports Business Master’s Program Gives a Sports Media Pro Unique Perspective

Temple’s School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management gave Sean Hanrahan the tools to elevate his career even after 30 years in the business.