17 Sports Commentator Interview Questions and Answers

Whether it’s the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or the World Series, sports fans love to watch their favorite teams compete on the big stage. But it’s not just the athletes who make these events so entertaining—it’s also the sports commentators who provide the play-by-play analysis and color commentary.

A sports commentator needs to be more than just a fan of the game. He or she also needs to be able to articulate the action in a clear and concise manner, often without the benefit of time to prepare. If you’re thinking of a career in sports broadcasting, you’ll need to be able to answer some tough questions in your interview. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working in front of a camera?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are comfortable in front of a camera and can speak clearly. You should answer this question by describing how you feel about being on camera and what steps you take to prepare for the role.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in front of a camera, as I have been doing so for many years now. When I first started commentating, I was nervous about speaking in front of a camera, but I took some time before each game to practice my delivery and gestures. Now, it’s second nature to me, and I’m confident when I’m on camera.”

What are your favorite sports to cover and why?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your background and experience in sports broadcasting. They may also use this information to determine which teams you cover most often or if you have a preference for certain leagues, games or athletes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific aspects of each sport that you enjoy covering.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed watching basketball because of its fast-paced nature and high level of athleticism. I find it especially exciting when players are able to make incredible plays with only a few seconds left on the clock. Baseball is another sport that I really enjoy because of the strategy involved. It’s fun to watch pitchers try different pitches and batters decide what type of swing they want to take.”

How do you prepare for a broadcast?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your process for preparing for a broadcast. They want to know how you use technology and other resources to prepare for the event, as well as how you plan out your commentary. Use your answer to explain what steps you take before going on air.

Example: “I usually arrive at the venue two hours before the start of the game. I like to meet with coaches and players to get their thoughts on the upcoming match. This helps me understand the strategies they’re using and gives me some background information that I can reference during the broadcast. I also spend time reviewing statistics from previous games and researching any relevant news stories or player updates.”

What is your experience with sports broadcasting software?

Sports broadcasting software is a common tool used by sports commentators. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience with this type of technology and how you might use it in their organization. If you have prior experience using sports broadcasting software, describe what types of software you’ve worked with and why you prefer them. If you don’t have any experience with these tools, explain that you’re open to learning new technologies.

Example: “I’ve had some experience working with sports broadcasting software during my internship at ESPN. I found that I preferred the software we used there because it was easy to navigate and provided me with all the information I needed about each game. It also allowed me to record my commentary so I could listen back to it later for editing purposes.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult player or coach.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain professional and calm in these situations, even if the other person is not. In your answer, try to show that you are able to stay composed while still being firm.

Example: “I had a situation once where I was covering a game for a local news station. The coach of one team got very upset with me because he thought I was too critical of his players during my commentary. He came over to our broadcast area after the game and started yelling at me. I remained calm and explained that I was just doing my job as a commentator. He apologized and left.”

If we were to look at your social media accounts, would we find you engaging with fans?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your social media skills. It’s important that you show you can interact with fans and respond to their comments in a positive manner.

Example: “I have an Instagram account where I post pictures of my favorite sports teams, as well as some behind-the-scenes photos from games. I also use Twitter to retweet interesting articles about sports and engage with other sports commentators on there. I find these accounts are great ways to connect with fans and learn more about what they want to see.”

What would you say is your greatest strength as a sports commentator?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want someone who is passionate, knowledgeable and entertaining. When answering this question, think of a specific skill or trait that you have that makes you unique as a commentator.

Example: “My greatest strength as a sports commentator is my ability to connect with the audience. I understand that people are watching me for entertainment purposes, so I try to make sure that I am always speaking clearly and using language that everyone can understand. I also use humor when appropriate to keep things lighthearted and fun.”

How well do you know the league(s) you’re applying for?

Sports commentators need to be knowledgeable about the leagues they’re covering. This question is a way for employers to assess your level of expertise in their league and see if you can apply it to their organization. In your answer, explain how much time you spend following the league and what you know about its teams, players and recent news.

Example: “I have been watching this league since I was a kid. I am very familiar with all of the teams and players, as well as the most recent news surrounding them. For example, last season there were some rumors that one team might trade their star player. I also follow many of the players on social media so I can keep up with their personal lives and any controversies they may be involved in.”

Do you have any experience broadcasting live?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with live broadcasting and how well you perform under pressure. If you do not have any experience, you can talk about your ability to adapt to new situations and improvise when needed.

Example: “I have a lot of experience broadcasting live events. In my last position as a sports commentator, I was responsible for calling play-by-play commentary during football games. I also hosted weekly radio shows where I interviewed professional athletes and broadcasted their answers live.”

When was the last time you read a teleprompter?

This question is a great way to see how much experience the candidate has with reading from a teleprompter. It’s also an opportunity for you to learn about their sense of humor and ability to make jokes on the spot.

Example: “The last time I read a teleprompter was during my first job as a sports commentator at a local radio station. I had no idea what I was doing, but luckily, I had a producer who helped me through it. I’ve learned so much since then, and now I’m ready to take on this role.”

We want our commentators to be able to provide insightful analysis as well as basic play-by-play. When would you use each?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would use your skills and experience to provide the best commentary for their audience. Use your answer to explain what makes each type of commentary important and why you might choose one over the other in a given situation.

Example: “I think both types of commentary are equally important, but I would use play-by-play more often than analysis during a game. Play-by-play is essential because it allows viewers to follow along with the action without missing any key moments. Analysis can be helpful when there’s a lull in the action or if something unexpected happens that requires further explanation.”

Describe your writing process when you’re producing a written blog post or article.

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should include a description of your writing process, including any tools or resources you use to write quickly and efficiently.

Example: “I start by researching my topic thoroughly so I have an understanding of what I’m going to be writing about. Then, I outline my article with bullet points so I know where I am going with each paragraph. After that, I begin writing the piece, making sure to stay within word count limits. Finally, I proofread the article for spelling and grammar errors before publishing it online.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates applying for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of skills that relate to the job description. Review these skills with the interviewer so they know what makes you qualified for the position.

Example: “I have been following sports my entire life, which has given me an extensive knowledge of many different teams and players. I also have experience as a radio announcer, which taught me how to speak clearly and confidently in front of large audiences. These two skills make me uniquely qualified for this role.”

Which sports broadcasting platforms do you have experience using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and whether you’re a good fit for their organization. If they ask this question, it’s likely because they use one of these platforms themselves or have heard that you’ve used them in the past. It’s important to be honest about your experience with different broadcasting platforms so you don’t misrepresent yourself.

Example: “I’ve worked on both radio and television broadcasts throughout my career. I’m comfortable using all major sports broadcasting software like Sportscaster Pro and Sports Media Live. I also have some experience working with streaming services like Twitch.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when commentating a game?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of sports broadcasting. It also helps them understand how you prioritize and manage different aspects of the job. Your answer should include an example of what you think is most important when commentating a game, as well as why that element is so vital.

Example: “I believe the most important thing to remember while commentating a game is the audience. As a broadcaster, I am responsible for making sure my commentary is clear and easy to understand. If I can make it easier for the audience to follow along with the game, then I have done my job. In my last role, I had to cover several games at once, which made this even more important. I would often repeat key information multiple times in order to ensure everyone understood.”

How often do you update your knowledge of the latest news and developments in sports?

Sports commentators need to be up-to-date with the latest news and developments in their field. This is because they are expected to provide insightful commentary on live broadcasts, which means they have to know what’s happening at all times. Your answer should show that you’re passionate about sports and committed to keeping your knowledge current.

Example: “I am a huge fan of football, so I follow several football websites and social media accounts to keep myself updated on the latest happenings in the sport. I also subscribe to newsletters from some of the biggest teams in the country so I can get breaking news as soon as it happens. I find this helps me prepare for my commentating job.”

There is a technical issue with your broadcast. How do you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. You can answer this question by describing a time when you had to overcome a technical challenge during a broadcast, such as a microphone that wasn’t working or a camera that was out of focus.

Example: “I once had a situation where the audio from my headset went out for about 30 seconds while I was broadcasting a game. This happened right after a big play in the game, so it was important that I didn’t miss anything. I calmly told the producer over my regular microphone that there was a technical issue with my headset and asked them to repeat what they were saying into my regular mic. They did, and I repeated their instructions back to the audience.”