Sports Commentator

Individuals who are sports fans should be the main people considering entry into this career. They must also have a clear and audible voice as well as a good memory to remember all the different statistics of the game. Journalism skills are also a plus point to possess.

A sports commentator must also have the personality to make the viewers excited about the game and make them believe that they are witnessing the game live. They must be able to concentrate on what is happening in the game and then while they are relaying this to the audience, they must be sure of what they are talking about.

Sports commentators should also be enthusiastic about their job and look for new angles from which to relay the events on the field to the audience. They should also have clear career path in mind to follow as well. The commentator should also be an outgoing individual.

The primary task of a sports commentator is to relay the activities that are happening on the field to their audience who is listening to the commentator to get an idea about what exactly is happening during play. They are employed in newspapers, radios or by TV stations to comment on the match.

Sports commentators usually arrive a few hours before the game to meet with the producers and all the people that are involved in the production of the broadcast. Research on the teams that are playing or on specific players is also done before the game starts.

Sometimes sports commentators may conduct interviews before the match or after the match for any comments or reactions. Their job is also to excite the audience when they are giving a play by play commentary on the happenings of the game.

When the game has become a little dull, the sports commentator may also talk about things apart from the game that include current events that are taking place in the sporting world, or a profile of a sports figure that is participating in the game.

Sports commentators are also required to attend press conferences to gain excess knowledge about the player, team, or what is happening in the sporting world. Sports commentators may cover a live game from the stadium, or they may be doing commentary from inside the studio.

Sports commentators also present the highlights of the game after the match has ended. Sports commentators are also referred to as sportscasters in the United States. Usually there are two sportscasters that work together in a match; the color commentator, and the one who is talking to the audience.

Sports Commentators usually need a Bachelors or Masters degree in Business Communication, Mass Media, or Radio/TV Broadcasting. There are also many alternatives which involve only 2 years of training that are offered if the candidate cannot complete four years of schooling.

The individual should also participate in any radio or TV exposure that he/she can gain to enhance their resumes. It is possible to get a sports commentator position without any formal education; however this rule is only applied when considering former athletes who have firsthand knowledge about the sport.
Internships are a good way to start off a career in this field.

In the United States, an entry level sports commentator earns approximately $17,000 per year. With some experience, their salary increases to $30,000 per year. Mature sports commentators earn roughly $70,000 per year.

In India, the average salary earned by a sports commentator is Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 per day that the commentator is working. A more established sports commentator can earn up to Rs. 25,000 per day that he is working.
TV commentators usually earn more than radio commentators do.

The working environment of sports commentators is good. They work in well lit, air conditioned studios while they are broadcasting. They are usually on tight schedules and sometimes have to work late in to the nights.

The work can be both physically and emotionally stressful. If the

sports commentator

is one that is working live inside the stadium, then there will be some travelling involved for the individual.

Sports commentators work in a comfortable work environment and are compensated well for their efforts. Moreover, they have the advantage of doing creative work. Furthermore, sports commentators also get the chance to meet many new people and create numerous contacts.

Sports commentators also have the satisfaction of becoming widely known by the public and achieve celebrity status. They also have the benefit of doing what they love for a living; watching sports and talking about it.

One of the main disadvantages of becoming a sports commentator is that the job is very stressful because the individual is usually live on TV, Radio, or on the field and so there is a zero margin for any errors.

Along with this, the hours are very irregular and so many sports commentators may be required to work in the evenings or night as most games take place then. Furthermore, it is very hard to enter into this field.

Approximately 69,000 jobs were held by sports commentators in 2008, with a large number being employed in radio and TV broadcasting. There were also many other sports commentators who were freelancers.

There is tight competition when one wants to become a sports commentator, in India as well as around the world. Usually those athletes who have firsthand experience in the game are preferred over other candidates. Radio stations are a good way to start off ones career, and eventually moving on to a private channel.

Due to the emergence of the internet and specialized sports sites giving play by play commentaries, the

sports commentator

career is under a large threat. Employment of sports commentators is expected to fall moderately between 2008-2018.

In all major cities where there is a radio station or a TV station, there is scope for sports commentators.