Sports coverage is the journalistic presentation of sports events, teams and their players. It is often done through live broadcasting on television and radio, although in the age of online streaming, it can also be published digitally. It covers news, analysis, results and commentary on sporting events and can include investigative journalism or a look at social or cultural issues related to the sport.
Many people who become sports journalists are also fans of the sport, and this is fine – but it is important that their professional and personal lives do not mix. This means that they should not wear team gear in the press box, cheer for or boo any team and should always speak as an impartial journalist and not a fan. It is also advisable for a new sports journalist to spend time getting to know the athletic directors, managers and public relations officers of any sports league they are covering well, as they can often help with information, interviews and access.
It is also advisable for a new reporter to get to know the referees/umpires, trainers and coaches of any sports they are covering. Developing relationships with these people can often make the difference between a good and a great article, as they will be able to provide insight into how a particular sports team or player performs. It is also a good idea to watch a few matches before reporting on them, to get a feel for the basic rules, key strategies and terms used in the game.