How to Write a Sports Story

In the sports world it is not only athletes, but fans as well, who wish to turn pro. Many dream of writing sports stories for magazines, newspapers and journals. Sports writing is one of the more sought out roles in the journalistic world. It can be difficult to break into, and just as difficult to decide how to write a sports article in the first place. There are many different types of sports stories you can write, and many different ways you can write and also many different types of publishers for sports pieces.

Things You'll Need

  • Notebook
  • Pens or pencils
  • Tape recorder
  • Camera (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide what kind of article you wish to write. Do you want to write an opinion piece, a traditional sports coverage piece (and if so, a professional, semi-professional, or scholastic sporting event should be decided upon), or some combination of the two?

    • 2

      Research your topic. If you are looking to write an expose or opinion piece, researching will be especially important, as your article will likely hinge around what you find in this process. However, if you are planning on attending and covering a particular sporting event researching is still a key step. It allows you to write a much better, more informed article than you might otherwise craft.

    • 3

      Choose a topic with which you are already somewhat familiar. It is always easier to cover something you know a bit about, as opposed to going in blind. You will also likely have more passion for what you are reporting on, which will help make the piece stronger.

    • 4

      Obtain credentials, if possible, if you are attending a sporting event and wish to cover it for a magazine or newspaper. If you have been hired by a magazine or newspaper in advance of the event, they should help you to secure credentials. Credentials are given out by the hosts of the sporting event and ensure you such things as interviews and stats sheets.

    • 5

      Arrive at the sporting event you wish to cover with basic supplies, such as paper, pens or pencils, press pass (if you have one), tape recorder and a camera (if you wish to take photographs of the event).

    • 6

      Decide whether or not you wish to publish your sports story. You can always opt to post it to your blog, if you have one, and if not you can create a blog for your sports stories. There are plenty of publications looking for sports articles, however, and doing some online searching would be a good idea. It is possible that you could get paid for your sports story.

    • 7

      Secure photographs to go along with your story if possible. You can either take them yourself, or you can work with a photographer that you know or one supplied to you by the publication you are be writing for. Sports teams will often supply photos as well. Just make sure you have the right to publish them before going to press with the pictures.

    • 8

      Check your quotes to make sure they are accurate. It is wise to tape record your interviews so that you have proof if there is ever any dispute from your interview subject.

    • 9

      Edit your story to make sure it is free of spelling, grammar and factual errors. Do this even if you are working for an editor, as they prefer clean copy.