Sports Writer Contributor

Sports Writer & Reporter Contributor

Sideline Sports & Entertainment

Position Overview

Sideline Sports is looking for the next generation of sports journalists, storytellers, and media professionals.

Whether you're an experienced student journalist, aspiring broadcaster, sports blogger, content creator, or simply someone who loves sports and wants to learn how the industry works, this contributor opportunity gives you the chance to build a real sports media portfolio while having your work published through a growing sports network.

As a Sports Writer & Reporter Contributor, you'll help cover the stories that matter across professional, college, and high school sports. You'll have opportunities to write articles, conduct interviews, cover events, develop original story ideas, and build your voice as a sports journalist.

Experience is not required. We value curiosity, consistency, coachability, and a genuine passion for sports.

What You'll Do

Sports Writing

Write articles covering local, regional, and national sports

Create game recaps and post-game coverage

Write opinion and analysis pieces

Cover breaking sports news and updates

Develop feature stories on athletes, coaches, and teams

Research statistics, trends, and storylines

Develop original story ideas

Sports Reporting

Conduct interviews with athletes, coaches, executives, and sports personalities

Attend games and sporting events when opportunities are available

Gather quotes, observations, and insights for stories

Research teams, players, statistics, and current trends

Develop relationships with sources and sports contacts

Assist with event and credentialed media coverage when available

Content Development

Collaborate with editors, graphic designers, social media contributors, and other writers

Help identify stories worth covering

Create compelling headlines and article summaries

Contribute to weekly content planning

Help identify opportunities for exclusive interviews and features

Participate in editorial discussions and story development

Sports You May Cover

Depending on your interests, location, and available opportunities, contributors may cover:

NFL

NBA

MLB

MLS

College Sports

High School Sports

Soccer

Basketball

Football

Baseball

Women's Sports

Sports Business

Sports Culture

Local and Community Sports

Major Sporting Events

Story Categories

Contributors may write and report on:

Game Recaps

Breaking News

Athlete Spotlights

Team Features

Coach Interviews

Sports Opinion Articles

Analysis Pieces

Rankings & Predictions

Community Sports Stories

High School Sports Coverage

College Sports Coverage

Professional Sports Coverage

Event Coverage

Sideline Sports Exclusive Features

Build Your Personal Brand While Building Ours

At Sideline Sports, we believe in developing people, not just producing content.

As a contributor, you'll have opportunities to:

Build a professional sports journalism portfolio

Earn published article bylines

Gain real-world reporting experience

Conduct interviews

Develop your writing and storytelling voice

Learn how a sports media organization operates

Network with other sports media professionals

Receive mentorship, feedback, and editorial guidance

Build experience that can be showcased on your resume and LinkedIn

Pursue opportunities to cover games and sporting events

Our goal is to help prepare contributors for careers in sports media, journalism, broadcasting, content creation, communications, and sports business.

Preferred Qualifications

We're looking for individuals who demonstrate:

Passion for sports and storytelling

Strong written communication skills

Ability to meet deadlines

Research and interviewing skills

Attention to detail

Creativity and original thinking

Professional communication

Willingness to learn and accept feedback

Consistency and reliability

Previous journalism or professional writing experience is not required.

Students, aspiring journalists, sports enthusiasts, content creators, and career changers are encouraged to apply.

Technical Requirements

Reliable computer and internet connection

Access to Google Docs and web-based tools

Ability to communicate through Basecamp and team communication channels

Ability to independently research and complete assignments

Reliable communication and responsiveness

Time Commitment

Approximately 3–8 hours per week

Flexible schedule

Contributors can work around school and other commitments

Story assignments may vary based on sports schedules and available opportunities

Event coverage opportunities will vary by location and availability

Expected Content Output

Contributors are generally expected to produce 3–5 published stories per week, depending on story length, assignments, sports schedules, and contributor availability.

Typical article guidelines include:

News Articles: 300–500 words

Features: 800–1,200 words

Analysis Pieces: 700–1,000 words

Quality, accuracy, originality, and consistency are prioritized over simply producing a high volume of content.

What You'll Gain

By joining Sideline Sports, you'll have the opportunity to gain:

Published articles and professional bylines

A portfolio of sports journalism work

Real-world sports reporting experience

Interview experience

Event and game coverage opportunities

Editorial feedback and mentorship

Networking opportunities

Experience working within a sports media organization

Resume-building experience

Opportunities to develop your personal brand

Potential advancement within Sideline Sports

Contributor Growth Path

We're building more than a contributor team.

We're building a pipeline for the next generation of sports media professionals.

Sports Writer → Beat Reporter → Senior Writer → Editor → Lead Content Contributor → On-Air Talent

Contributors who consistently demonstrate strong writing, reliability, creativity, professionalism, and leadership may have opportunities to take on additional responsibilities within the organization.

Who We're Looking For

We're not just looking for people who can write.

We're looking for future sports journalists, storytellers, broadcasters, content creators, and sports media leaders.

If you have a passion for sports, a willingness to learn, and a desire to build something, we want to hear from you.

Apply to join Sideline Sports and start building your sports media portfolio today.