Inside the Industry

Introduction to Sports Media Huddle

Welcome to Sports Media Huddle, a space built to bring clarity, perspective, and real-world insight to anyone navigating the sports media industry today.

Over the past decade and a half, I’ve had the privilege of working across journalism, editorial strategy, communications, and major international events. One thing has become increasingly clear: there has never been more opportunity in sports media, but there has also never been more noise.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by platforms, trends, and advice that rarely reflects the reality of working inside the industry.

Sports Media Huddle exists to simplify that landscape.

This newsletter is designed as a weekly digest to bring together the latest industry insights, actionable career guidance, and a snapshot into my own career to shine a light on how this sector works from the inside.

It’s where aspiring sports reporters, creators, producers, broadcasters, social media and communications professionals can better understand how the industry actually works and where they might fit within it.

If this is your first time here, you can learn more about Sports Media Huddle and what we’re building here.

Career Insight

The State of Sports Media in 2026 … and What it Means for Your Career

The sports media industry is entering a period of rapid change. Streaming platforms are reshaping distribution, creators are influencing how audiences discover content, and editorial teams are being asked to operate faster and across more formats than ever before.

Understanding these shifts isn’t just useful from an industry perspective, it directly impacts how new professionals position themselves, what skills they prioritise, and where opportunities are likely to emerge over the next few years.

Inside SMH this week, I’ve taken a deeper look at these trends and what they mean for anyone trying to break into the industry or evolve their career.

You can read the full breakdown here

From My Week

Rafa Nadal, skiing, and concluding a hectic 2025

It’s the start of a new year, and I’m enjoying a rare moment of downtime. I’ve been spending Christmas and New Year with family, surrounded by snow and finally learning to ski – a lifelong ambition that has somehow taken years to get around to!

The break has been needed after a hectic end to 2025, which concluded with the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. It was a busy but hugely rewarding week working alongside the Saudi Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Tennis Federation, and the ATP to deliver the tournament and help promote the continued transformation of sport in Saudi Arabia.

A big part of the coverage centred around STF Ambassador Rafa Nadal, as the tennis legend met with talented youth players, fans, coaches, and Special Olympics athletes, moments that really highlighted the vibrancy of the tennis scene in Jeddah and across the Kingdom.

From a professional perspective, it was one of those weeks that demanded agility and endurance. Long days were spent leading editorial output, interviewing players, creating daily press releases, directing the multimedia team, managing client relations, coordinating with media partners, and supporting the wider media presence at the event.

The week was topped off with a sit-down interview with Nadal; the kind of moment that makes the intensity of event work feel worthwhile.

Events like this are always a reminder of how many moving parts sit behind the scenes of sports media. When everything comes together successfully, it reinforces why so many of us are drawn to this industry in the first place.

This Week’s Recommendations

‘It’s not normal to walk into the tornado’: To fans, there was only one Ricky Hatton. Those who loved him knew many | Donald McRae | The Guardian

0.00 | George Russell | The Players’ Tribune

The Big Andy Murray Interview | The Tennis Podcast

The worrying road ahead for Muslim sportswomen amid hijab bans and discrimination | Yousra Samir Imran | The New Arab

Getting Started in Sports Media

If you’re starting your journey into sports media this year, remember that progress rarely happens overnight. The industry rewards consistency, professionalism, and curiosity far more than quick wins.

More insights, career guidance, and industry perspective will be shared here every week.

But if you’re looking for a deeper framework to help structure your next steps and fast-track your entry into the industry, download the Sports Media Career Playbook.

Access the Playbook today and save $20!

Until next time,
Jon