17 Sports Journalist Interview Questions and Answers

Sports journalists are the lifeblood of the sports world. They keep fans up to date on the latest news and developments in their favorite sport, whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, or hockey. They also interview athletes, coaches, and team owners, and write columns analyzing the games and the players.

If you want to be a sports journalist, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions during your interview. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you figure out what to say when you’re asked about your experience, your writing style, and your knowledge of the sports you want to cover.

Are you familiar with the sport you’ll be covering?

Sports journalism is a niche field, and employers want to make sure you have the necessary knowledge of the sport you’ll be covering. They may ask this question to see if you are familiar with their team or league. In your answer, explain that you do know about the sport. If possible, mention some specific facts about the sport or teams you can cover.

Example: “I am very familiar with baseball. I grew up playing it in high school and college. I even played for my state team when I was younger. I also follow several MLB teams online. I think I would be able to provide interesting coverage of any game.”

What are some of your favorite sports to cover?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you a little better and see if your interests align with their publication. It’s important to show that you’re passionate about sports, but it’s also good to be honest about which ones you enjoy covering the most.

Example: “I love all kinds of sports, but I have to say my favorite is basketball. I grew up playing in school and on teams, so I’ve always been interested in following professional leagues. I find it interesting how different players are able to make such incredible shots and perform at such high levels. I would love to cover an NBA team.”

How do you keep up with the latest news in the sports world?

Sports journalism is a fast-paced industry, and employers want to make sure you have the ability to keep up with current events. Use your answer to highlight your research skills and how you stay on top of breaking news in the sports world.

Example: “I am always reading articles from other publications to see what stories they are covering. I also subscribe to several newsletters that provide me with updates on recent developments in the sports world. I use social media as well to follow athletes, coaches and team owners so I can learn about their latest endeavors.”

What is your process for conducting an interview?

Interviewing is a common part of the sports journalist job. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience conducting interviews and can do so effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you take when conducting an interview. Explain that you will first introduce yourself to the person being interviewed. Then, you will ask them questions about their background and how they got into their field. Finally, you will ask them about their current projects or goals.

Example: “I always start by introducing myself to the person I am interviewing. This helps put them at ease and makes them feel comfortable talking with me. Next, I ask them about their background and how they got into their career. This gives me insight into who they are as a person and why they chose their career path. Finally, I ask them about their current projects or goals. This allows me to get information for my article while also learning more about the person.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to write a story on short notice.

Sports journalism often requires journalists to write stories on short notice. Employers ask this question to see if you can meet deadlines and produce quality content under pressure. In your answer, share a specific example of when you had to write a story quickly. Explain what the situation was and how you handled it.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we were covering a local high school football game. During the game, one of the players suffered an injury that required him to be taken off the field by ambulance. My editor asked me to cover the rest of the game while he went to the hospital to get more details about the player’s condition. I stayed for the rest of the game and then followed up with my editor after the game ended.”

If you had the opportunity to interview any athlete, who would it be and why?

This question is a great way to show your passion for sports and the athletes who play them. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have any specific athletes in mind, but they also want to know what qualities make that athlete special to you. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an athlete who has inspired you or someone you would love to learn more about.

Example: “I would love to interview LeBron James because he’s one of my favorite basketball players of all time. I’ve been watching him since his high school days, so I’d love to hear some stories from those years. He seems like such a down-to-earth guy, and I think hearing about how he got started in basketball would be really interesting.”

What would you do if you were assigned to cover a sport you knew very little about?

Sports journalism is a broad field, and you may be asked to cover sports that are new to you. Employers want to know how you would approach this challenge and what steps you would take to learn about the sport in time for your deadline. In your answer, explain how you would research the sport and develop relationships with sources who can help you understand it better.

Example: “I have experience covering many different sports, but I also know there are some I’m still learning. When I was first assigned to cover soccer, I watched as many games as I could on TV and read articles online. I talked to my editor about getting an assignment where I could talk to players and coaches before a game so I could ask questions about the rules of the sport. I think it’s important to always be open to learning something new.”

How well do you know the rules of the sport you’ll be covering?

Sports journalists need to know the rules of the sport they’re covering. This is because they may have to explain them to their audience, and it also shows that you understand the basics of the game. When answering this question, make sure to show that you know the basics of the sport and can apply those rules to a story.

Example: “I am very familiar with the rules of basketball. I played in high school and college, so I still remember most of the rules. However, if I ever forget one, I always refer back to the official rule book. It’s important for me to be accurate when reporting on games.”

Do you have any experience writing for digital media platforms?

Sports journalism is changing as more and more people consume sports content online. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience writing for digital media platforms like blogs, websites or social media accounts. If you do not have any experience, consider taking a blogging course or learning how to write for a website.

Example: “I actually started my career writing for a blog. I wrote about the latest news in the world of sports and shared my opinions on different topics. It was a great way to get my name out there and build up my portfolio. Since then, I’ve written for several other blogs and websites. I also have an Instagram account where I share my thoughts on current events.”

When reporting on a losing team, how do you stay positive while still maintaining integrity in your writing?

Sports journalism is a challenging career, especially when you’re reporting on losing teams. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the right attitude and personality for their organization. In your answer, show that you can stay positive while still being honest with your writing. Explain how you would use your writing skills to help improve the team’s performance.

Example: “I understand that I’m going to be covering a lot of losing teams during my career as a sports journalist. However, I also know that there are many factors that go into winning or losing a game. For example, if a player gets injured, it could affect the outcome of the game. When reporting on a losing team, I always try to find something good to write about. I’ll talk to players and coaches to get quotes about what they think went well in the game. Then, I’ll use my writing skills to put together an article that highlights both the positives and negatives.”

We want to improve our social media presence. How would you use social media to promote our sports team?

Social media is an important tool for sports journalists to use in their work. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using social media and how you would apply it to the team’s goals. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to promote the team on social media. Show that you understand the importance of social media and can create a plan to help the team succeed with its social media presence.

Example: “I think social media is an excellent way to connect with fans and share content they will enjoy. I would start by creating a strategy for which platforms we should focus on. Then, I would develop a schedule for posting relevant content to those platforms. For example, I might post a photo or video to Instagram once a day, while also sharing links to my articles on Twitter twice a week. I could also write blog posts about the team and publish them to our website.”

Describe your writing style and provide an example of a recent article you wrote.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your writing style and how you can apply it to their publication. You should describe your writing process, including any tools or resources you use to write a quality article.

Example: “I start by researching my topic thoroughly so I have all of the information I need before I begin writing. Then, I outline my piece with notes on what points I want to make and how I’ll support them. Once I’ve finished outlining, I start writing the first draft. I try to get that draft done in one sitting, but if I need to take breaks, I do so and return to the piece later. After finishing the first draft, I go back through it again to edit for spelling and grammar mistakes.”

What makes you the best candidate for this sports journalist 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 all the skills you have that relate to this position. Think about what makes you unique or qualified for this role.

Example: “I am passionate about sports and I love writing. I also have five years of experience as a sports journalist, which has given me valuable insight into how to write compelling stories. My previous employers always praised my work ethic and ability to meet deadlines. I think these skills would be beneficial in this role.”

Which sports journalism websites do you frequently read?

This question can help an interviewer determine your knowledge of the sports journalism industry. It also helps them understand what type of content you prefer to read and how it aligns with their publication’s style. When answering this question, try to name a few websites that are similar to the one you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I frequently visit ESPN, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. I find these sites have some of the best writers in the business, and they all produce quality content. I also like The Undefeated because of its unique perspective on sports news. I think more publications should include diverse voices in their writing.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a sports journalist’s job?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a sports journalist. It also gives them insight into your personal values and how they relate to this role. When answering, think about which part of being a sports journalist has been most important to you in previous roles.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of a sports journalist’s job is accuracy. Fans rely on journalists to provide unbiased information about their favorite teams or players. If I were to make an error in my reporting, it could cause fans to lose faith in me as a reliable source of information. Accuracy is something I take very seriously, so I would always double-check any facts before publishing them.”

How often do you think a sports journalist should update their blog or social media accounts?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you plan your work and what kind of schedule you keep. Your answer should show that you know when to update social media accounts or write a new article, but it also shows the level of detail you put into your work.

Example: “I think it depends on the sport and the event. For example, if there is a big game coming up, I would want to post updates about the teams and players leading up to the game. After the game, I would want to have a recap of the game with some statistics and analysis. If there are any other important events in the future, I would want to continue posting relevant information.”

There is a controversial call during a game. How do you address it in your article?

Sports journalism is a fast-paced industry, and you may be required to write about controversial calls during games. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle these situations professionally. In your answer, explain how you would address it in an article without causing too much of a stir.

Example: “I would first talk with the referees on what they saw that led them to make the call. I would then include their explanation in my article. If there are still questions after reading the article, I would encourage readers to contact me so I can try to get more information.”