17 Sports Announcer Interview Questions and Answers

Whether it’s the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or the NBA Finals, sports fans love to watch their favorite teams compete on the biggest stage. And it’s the job of a sports announcer to bring the game to life for these fans, providing play-by-play commentary and color commentary that brings the game to life.

If you’re looking for a job as a sports announcer, you’ll need to be able to answer a range of sports interview questions. These questions will test your knowledge of the game, as well as your ability to provide commentary that is both informative and entertaining.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample sports announcer interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in front of a camera?

Sports announcers often work in front of a camera, so the interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this. If you do, share an example of how you handled it. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn and practice.

Example: “I am comfortable working in front of a camera because I’ve done it for several years. In my last role, I was one of two sports announcers who worked together on game days. We had to be prepared to talk about any aspect of the game at any time. This required us to stay focused and avoid distractions while we were talking. I also learned how to adjust my voice depending on what was happening during the game.”

What are some of your favorite sports to announce?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you a little better and see if your interests align with their organization. It’s important to show that you’re passionate about sports, but it’s also good to be honest about which ones you enjoy announcing versus those you don’t.

Example: “I love basketball because of its fast-paced nature and the fact that there are so many different ways for teams to score points. I also really enjoy baseball because of the strategy involved in each play. There is so much going on during a single at bat that it’s fun to break down all of the elements.”

How would you describe your voice?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your voice quality and how you would use it in their broadcast. Your answer should include information about your tone, volume and accent.

Example: “I have a deep voice that I can project well. My voice has a slight southern drawl, which helps me connect with fans who are from the south. I also speak clearly so that everyone listening can understand what I’m saying. In my last role, I was told by many people that they could listen to me announce games all day.”

What is your experience with announcing live events?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with live sports events and how you handled them. Use examples from previous work to show that you’re prepared for this role, especially if it’s your first time announcing a sporting event.

Example: “I’ve been announcing high school football games for three years now, so I’m used to working under pressure and handling unexpected situations. In my last season, we had two teams of equal skill level playing each other in the championship game. One team was ahead by 20 points at halftime, but the second half saw the losing team come back and win the game. It was an exciting moment, but I stayed calm and kept talking through the entire game.”

Provide an example of a time you had to quickly adapt to a change in a game’s rules or schedule.

Sports announcers often have to adapt quickly to changes in the game. This question helps employers understand how you handle unexpected situations and whether you can be flexible when needed. In your answer, explain what caused the change and how you adapted to it.

Example: “During a basketball game I was announcing, one team had an injured player who couldn’t play for the rest of the game. The coach asked if we could put another player into the game, but that would mean they were playing with only five players instead of six. We decided to allow them to do this because there was no way they could win without their best player on the court. It helped that the other team also agreed to let them play with fewer players.”

If you were given the opportunity to call the Super Bowl, what would be your strategy for preparing?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the sport and how you would prepare for such an important game. You can answer this question by describing what you would do in preparation, including any specific steps you would take or resources you would use.

Example: “I would start my prep work at least two weeks before the Super Bowl. I would begin by watching every play from the previous season’s playoffs and then watch all of the teams’ regular-season games. Next, I would read up on each team’s roster and recent news about them. Finally, I would practice reading out loud the names of players so that I could get used to pronouncing them correctly.”

What would you do if you noticed a player was injured on the field and you were the only person able to provide commentary on the situation?

Sports announcers are often the only people providing commentary on a game, so it’s important that they can provide accurate information to their audience. This question helps employers understand how you would handle an emergency situation and if you have experience doing so in your previous roles. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure you provided accurate information while also ensuring the player received medical attention as quickly as possible.

Example: “If I noticed a player was injured during a game, I would immediately stop my commentary and direct my attention toward the field. I would describe the injury to my audience and then remain silent until the medical staff arrived. Once the player is taken off the field for treatment, I would resume my commentary.”

How well do you know the rules of the sports you announce?

Sports announcers need to know the rules of the game they’re announcing. This is because they may have to explain them to their audience and also make sure they follow the rules themselves. If you are interviewing for a position as a sports announcer, it’s important that you can prove your knowledge of the sport by answering this question correctly.

Example: “I am very familiar with the rules of every sport I’ve ever announced. In fact, I even wrote a book on how to become a professional sports announcer where I explained all the rules of each sport in detail. I think it’s important that everyone understands the rules of the games they watch so they can enjoy them more.”

Do you have any experience writing your own commentary for broadcast?

Sports announcers often need to be able to write their own commentary for broadcast. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have this skill and can use it effectively. If you do not have any experience writing your own commentary, you can talk about how you would approach doing so if given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to write my own commentary for a broadcast, but I am confident in my ability to do so. In fact, I find that I am most comfortable when I am speaking extemporaneously rather than reading from prepared notes. However, I understand that there are times when an announcer needs to read from prepared notes or scripts. I feel like I could learn to adapt to these situations as needed.”

When do you think it’s appropriate to laugh or smile while announcing a game?

Sports announcers are often expected to be energetic and entertaining. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of maintaining a professional demeanor while announcing games. In your answer, explain that you would only laugh or smile when it’s appropriate for the game. For example, if there is an exciting play, you might smile. If something funny happens on the field, you may laugh.

Example: “I think it’s important to maintain a professional demeanor during a broadcast. However, I also believe that sports should be fun. When I am announcing a game, I will only laugh or smile when it seems like the right thing to do. For example, if there is a great play, I might smile. If someone makes a mistake, I might laugh. I want people watching the game to have a good time, so I try to find a balance between being professional and having fun.”

We want to attract younger viewers. How would you incorporate more millennial-friendly elements into your commentary?

Sports announcers are often tasked with keeping the attention of viewers, especially if they’re broadcasting a game that’s not being broadcast on television. Employers want to know how you can keep younger audiences engaged and interested in what you have to say.

Example: “I think it’s important to speak to all generations when I’m commentating a sporting event. However, I do understand that millennials may be more likely to watch an event online than tune into cable or satellite TV. To attract this audience, I would use social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to interact with fans during the game. This allows me to show my personality and build relationships with young sports fans.”

Describe your process for preparing for a game.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach a new assignment. To answer, think of the steps you take before announcing a game or event. Consider including any special techniques you use to prepare for an important broadcast.

Example: “I usually arrive at the venue two hours before kickoff so I can meet with other members of the production team and get ready for the broadcast. Before going on air, I make sure my notes are organized and that I have everything I need, like statistics and graphics. During the game, I try to stay focused on what’s happening in front of me while also keeping track of timeouts and commercial breaks.”

What makes you stand out from other sports announcers?

This question can help the interviewer determine what unique qualities you have that make you a good fit for their organization. Use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to this role and how they can benefit the team.

Example: “I think my ability to connect with fans is one of my greatest strengths as a sports announcer. I always try to speak in a way that makes it easy for people who aren’t familiar with the sport to understand what’s happening on the field, court or ice. This skill has helped me build a loyal fan base over the years, which I hope to continue doing at this new job.”

Which sports announcers do you admire and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your passion for sports broadcasting. It also helps them determine if you have a good understanding of who is currently in the industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention someone who has similar experience or someone who inspires you because of their personality or style.

Example: “I admire Bob Costas because he’s been in the business for so long and still seems passionate about what he does. He always seems to bring his best self to work and I would love to be able to do that as well. Another announcer I admire is Joe Buck because he’s very knowledgeable about all the different sports he covers and he’s able to explain things clearly to the audience.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a successful sports announcer?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. You should discuss what you think makes a good announcer, but also include specific examples of how you have applied this skill in your previous work.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of being a successful sports announcer is having a strong understanding of the game. I’ve been watching sports for as long as I can remember, so I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the rules and regulations. However, I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge and skills. For example, I recently subscribed to a streaming service that shows me different angles of plays and strategies.”

How often do you practice your announcing skills?

Sports announcers need to be knowledgeable about the sport they’re announcing and have excellent public speaking skills. Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to improving your skills as an announcer. Before your interview, read through some of your past broadcasts or watch a recording of yourself on television. Think about what you would do differently if you had the chance to announce that game again.

Example: “I practice my announcing skills every time I go into the studio to record a broadcast. I always try to learn something new about the sport I’m announcing. For example, when I was broadcasting for the football team, I learned more about the different positions on the field. I also think it’s important to listen to other announcers so I can improve my own style.”

There is a technical issue with your microphone during a game. How do you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. Your answer should include a specific example of how you handled the situation, what steps you took to fix it and what the outcome was.

Example: “I once had a technical issue with my microphone during a game where I was broadcasting for a local team. The audio from my broadcast went out completely, so I couldn’t communicate with the color commentator or the sideline reporter. I calmly told the producer that we were having a technical issue and asked if they could switch me over to the backup microphone. They did, and I continued on with the game as usual.”