SMH Weekly Digest: Issue #008 – Want to be a Sports Reporter? Here’s What it Takes
Inside the Industry
What Netflix’s Increasing Presence in Combat Sports Signals for Sports Media
Netflix’s growing investment in boxing and MMA is more than a rights play; it’s a signal of how sport, entertainment, and creator culture are converging faster than ever.
With major announcements involving Tyson Fury and Ronda Rousey taking place this week to fight on the streaming platform (alongside influencer-driven events), combat sports are becoming a global event engine designed for streaming audiences.
For sports media professionals, this shift expands opportunity across formats.
From short-form video and podcasts to analysis, comms, and production, the demand for multi-platform storytelling continues to grow as global streaming platforms reshape distribution.
Career Insight
Want to Be a Sports Reporter? Here’s What the Role Actually Looks Like
Many aspiring sports reporters imagine the job revolves around matchday moments, but the reality is far broader.
From pitching ideas and building relationships with PR teams to managing deadlines, coordinating with editors, and working across mixed zones, press conferences, and off-record conversations, reporting is about preparation as much as presence.
If you’re considering this path, this week’s Career Insight offers a realistic look at what the role involves beyond the highlights.
From My Week
Formula E and Qiddiya’s Incredible Golf Venue
This week has been another from the office, with two projects taking centre stage.
The first has been coordinating content around media partnerships with E1 and Formula E following their recent events in Jeddah. These projects always require a blend of planning, storytelling, and collaboration across teams to ensure the right narratives reach the right audiences.
Alongside that, there’s been some enjoyable strategising work with Qiddiya City, focusing on the golf facility set to open within the destination.
I’ve said it before, but the plans for Qiddiya really are exciting, and the golf complex is no exception. Our role now is to shape stories and media opportunities that resonate, driving awareness while helping audiences understand the scale and ambition behind the project.
While plans are still evolving, one thing is clear: it will require a multi-pronged approach, combining traditional media, social channels, and influencer-led storytelling across different platforms and formats.
This Week’s Recommendations
Why it’s impossible for the Olympics to be politically neutral | Gregory Krippa | The Conversation
‘Freak of nature’: how James Milner achieved Premier League record | Louise Taylor, Ben Fisher, Jamie Jackson, Andy Hunter and Ed Aarons | The Guardian
Ange: Spurs Fallout, Forest Job Regrets & Celtic Success | Stick to Football | The Overlap
Chasing NBA dreams from Qatar to All-Star Weekend: One prospect’s journey | Mirin Fader | The Athletic
Get Started in Sports Media
If you’re serious about building a career in sports media, the Sports Media Career Playbook is designed to give you structure, clarity, and direction.
Inside, you’ll find the frameworks, mindset, and practical strategies used across journalism, content, PR, and media production, helping you move from ambition to action.
Closing Note
Every week, the industry moves a little faster; new platforms, new formats, and new opportunities emerging across the sports media landscape.
The key isn’t trying to do everything at once; it’s learning where you fit and building momentum one step at a time.
Until next time,
Jon