What does a working day look like for reporters at MLB, NFL, NHL or NBA games?

4 comments

1. I bet you can ask them on Twitter, the lesser known team reporters are often fairly responsive to kind inquiries.

   But otherwise this is a pretty niche job the average American doesn’t know the ins and outs of.

2. I only know the MLB experience but I’d expect it’s close to the same.

   I’m there an hour or so before the start, grab a quick bite, go over some game notes (these days) Tweet out the lineup or something, keep notes on game action, start to formulate a rough story midway through, get story mainly written as the end is close depending on how tight the game is, go downstairs and grab a few quotes, most stadiums have a media workroom, add quotes and file.

   Used to attach to an email but now you can upload directly to your CMS now.

   If you work for AP or wire service, you’ll have to file 2-3 versions. A short version with no quotes, one with, and additional ones if updates come available.

   I’ve covered basketball at NBA arenas (not NBA games) but the staff provides updated stats each quarter break so you can add those as you go.

3. My buddy was a Seattle Mariners beat writer for years. Tons of phone calls, watching BP, talking to staff at every level from trainers and PAs to GMs and sales, just generally being present and a constant. Radio and TV bits with local and national shows as well as the visiting teams’ media. Talking to the minor league reporters etc about kids. Calling other franchises. So much talking.

4. Sit around and wait for the weighted random number generator to spit out data then use that data to build narratives