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The state of sports journalism

The disappearance of the New York Times sports section is only the latest change in how news outlets are covering sports. NPR's Scott Detrow talks to Richard Deitsch, a media reporter at The Athletic .

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

Earlier this week, The New York Times officially published its sports section for the last time. From now on, the Times will only cover sports through The Athletic, a sports website it bought last year. The disappearance of The New York Times sports section is only the latest change in the way news organizations are covering sports. Sports Illustrated, for example, is a shell of what it used to be, having bought out most of its staff in 2018 and changed from weekly to twice a month, and now once a month. ESPN shuttered its print magazine back in 2019. And there are fewer and fewer beat reporters covering teams.

We asked Richard Deitsch to help us figure out what's going on. He's a media reporter for The Athletic and editor of an upcoming book titled "The Year's Best Sports Writing." I asked him to describe the sports writing industry right now.

RICHARD DEITSCH: The sports writing ecosystem is very different because we have seen an extraordinary amount of layoffs. So legacy publications, including my former employer, Sports Illustrated, have really been reduced. Obviously, the place I currently work at now, The Athletic, has suffered layoffs. ESPN has suffered layoffs. So many of the legacy publications are just much smaller. The good news is that information and stories always want to be told. There's always a vacuum, and that vacuum is filled by some great work.

but you are correct where, like, 50 years ago, let's say you would read The New York Times and The Washington Post and Sports Illustrated, you know, you may get yourself a really significant collection of great sports writing over the course of the year. That has absolutely changed. You have to extend your, you know, your radius when you want to find great sports writing. But I will say the good news is it's still out there for sure, it's just in different places than we might have expected it 30 years ago.

DETROW: And you mentioned the Times. I was particularly surprised and bothered by this decision because I'm somebody who was reading that sports section growing up in New Jersey all the time. There were those writers you turn to thinking, like, I wonder what this person has to say about the story. How big of a deal is this decision? We're talking at a point where The New York Times has published its last sports section.

DEITSCH: It's in some ways sort of a little difficult for me to answer that because I work for The Athletic.

DETROW: Right.

DEITSCH: The Athletic (inaudible) me. And so The Athletic now will appear on sort of New York Times platforms as their sports section.

DETROW: Thanks for doing the disclaimer for us there.

DEITSCH: Yeah. But make no mistake about it. I mean, there were brilliant sportswriters who worked at The New York Times sports section. It's a sports section I grew up reading and read for many, many years. I know some of the people in that sports section. They have been picked for my 2023 sports writing book. So it's a loss. There's no other way to sort of sugarcoat it. You know, my hope is that Times readers or Times bundle readers will appreciate what The Athletic brings because I think it's a really, really quality sports section. But like everyone else, like, I'm going to miss the people who wrote for that sports section because they were extraordinary sportswriters, and I wish that they were still writing sports today, on a personal note.

DETROW: Yeah. There's been a few broader changes that I want to ask you about. One of them is just the number of people out there doing the work. I've been working on another story about one of the pro sports teams here in Washington. I was just talking with their PR team, and I said, how many beat reporters are covering your team every day? And I was shocked at how small the number was. It just seems like with so many papers folding up, with so much of this becoming consolidated, there's fewer and fewer people doing kind of the day in, day out beat reporting. And, of course, I could say that for just about every other field of journalism as well. How has that changed the sports reporting world from your perspective?

DEITSCH: Well, I don't want to BS your audience. Like, there's not going to be good news in the short term and medium term. Nothing is going to change in terms of the continued drumbeat of places continuing to cut staff and continuing to try to do either more or the same with less. I don't see that improving, where once upon a time, let's just use a college beat in some town. There may have been two or three newspapers dedicated to that college sports program with reporters covering the big sports there. That's probably down to one. And it's not even clear, like, how much that person would be covering that team on a daily or weekly basis.

DETROW: Yeah.

DEITSCH: Sports has the same issues as news, as politics, as culture, as features. And there has to be a solution. And I don't know if the solution is to directly support it through like, you know, kind of a Patreon kind of like place or...

DETROW: We're familiar with that one in public radio, yeah.

DEITSCH: Of course. Or like some very, very wealthy people supporting it, almost like philanthropy. I'm - I don't know what the solution is, but I do know a solution has to come or this is only going to continue to get worse.

DETROW: Yeah. The shift in the central focus of sports journalism seems to go more and more toward, I would say, TV, but it's not even TV. It's video streaming because there's so many platforms now. But kind of the focus being on the takes, the opinions, the back-and-forth, the podcast and cable shows as opposed to the writing. Is there any upside in that? Like, what have you seen in terms of how that shapes the landscape that you cover?

DEITSCH: Well, the upside is money. You can get paid more if you hit it right. And the reality is the ceiling for an opinionist in sports is far higher than the ceiling is for a elegant writer or a really, really great reporter. It is not to say that you cannot make a living as a writer or a reporter in sort of doing it in the traditional way. And, of course, those still exist. But when you see opinionists all over ESPN or all over Fox Sports 1, when you see opinionists who have, you know, millions of people subscribing to their podcast, there's something fun, obviously, about giving your opinion and people either liking it or disliking it. So that sort of opinion or takes economy is going to be with us for a while.

DETROW: You know, this conversation started on the downer note of contractions in The New York Times in particular. But I'm wondering - and let's take The Athletic out of it, where you said you work. What's the most exciting place for you right now when it comes to sports journalism? Who's doing the most innovative and interesting work?

DEITSCH: I'm not trying to cop out of this answer, but the one thing that was really great about being the guest editor of the best sports writing book was that I found, like, great sports writing existed in so many different places. Just the fact that, like, if you went deep enough into all these places, you found, like, a lot of great writing. And if there's anything to be optimistic about is I do think the talent in 2023, just in terms of writing and reporting, is the highest it's ever been. A lot of people sort of long for the glory days, like the '40s or the '50s or the '60s. You look at some of the writing there, a lot of it's garbage, just to be blunt. So that's what's great about this project is that, like, the quality of journalistic talent, it's really, really high. And that's cause for celebration.

What's not cause for celebration is I worry significantly if, you know, out of the people who I selected in this book for the main book and honorable mention, if, like, 40% of them aren't out of the business in 10 years. That's what scares me. And they decide to go to another profession where they can pay their bills and buy houses at an easier rate.

DETROW: That's Richard Deitsch, sports media reporter for the athletic and editor of "The Year's Best Sports Writing," which is out in about a week. Thanks so much for joining us.

DEITSCH: Thank you.

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Should Sports Journalism ‘Stick To Sports’?

Are you all about the drama, heroism and entertainment value of games? Or are you also interested in “outside the lines” issues like concussions and politics that affect athletes, leagues and fans?

By Jeremy Engle

Find all our Student Opinion questions here.

Recently, the acting editor in chief of Deadspin, a popular sports website, was fired for his refusal to “stick to sports” in deciding what his staff covered. Following his dismissal, almost the entire staff resigned in protest .

What do you think? Should sports journalists stick exclusively to sports — box scores, highlights, stories of heroic achievement? Or should they also cover “outside the lines” issues like concussions, domestic violence, racism and politics? Is it possible to separate the rest of the world from sports?

Why do you read and watch sports news and commentary — whether it’s in Sports Illustrated or Bleacher Report, or in TV shows like “SportsCenter” or “Fox NFL Sunday”? Do you care only about the entertainment value of the games? Do you see sports news as an escape from other kinds of news? Or are you also interested in the broader societal issues that affect athletes, leagues and fans?

In an Opinion essay, “ I Was Fired From Deadspin for Refusing to ‘Stick to Sports’ ,” Barry Petchesky writes:

Two weeks ago, I was fired as acting editor in chief of Deadspin, where I’d worked since 2009. The entire staff resigned, following me out the door after we had refused a new company mandate to “stick to sports.” Jim Spanfeller, installed as chief executive of G/O Media by the private equity firm that bought the company seven months ago, called me into his office, pointed to some offending stories on our home page and had me escorted from the building. This is the first time that I’m speaking up about my firing, and my stance remains the same as in the countless meetings with management where I explained and insisted that sports don’t end when the players head back to the locker room. We refused to “stick to sports,” because we know that sports is everything, and everything is sports: It’s the N.B.A. kowtowing to its Chinese business interests ; it’s pro sports leagues attempting to become shadow justice systems for publicity reasons; it’s the opioid epidemic roiling N.F.L. locker rooms at least as hard as anywhere in Appalachia, even as the league refuses to relax its marijuana policy ; it’s racist fan chants chasing black players off the pitch in Italian soccer matches; it’s Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap at the White House. (These last two stories occurred in the past week and so were not covered on Deadspin; the “stick to sports” diktat forced the outlet to ignore the biggest sports stories in the world.) Reporting sports with integrity requires knowing that there’s no way to wall off the games from the world outside. To anyone who knows anything about sports or cares about the world outside the arena, the notion that sports should or even can be covered merely by box scores and transaction wires is absurd. From the moment Deadspin was founded in 2005, the website took for granted that what happened off the field was at least as important as the goings-on between the lines, and that there was no way to unravel the two. Deadspin’s approach was a reaction to the predominant strain of sportswriting at the time, which treated athletes as either Greek demigods unconcerned with the dealings of the world or spoiled millionaires playing children’s games.

The essay concludes:

Deadspin was the voice of the long-suffering fan, finding the humor and the heartbreak in everything in the world of sports. It was the fan wondering why he was paying $200 to go to a football game to watch a team whose owner would rather pocket profit than pay to improve the roster. It was also the fan troubled by the culture and the politics of sports, the fan who couldn’t help noticing that the larger issues of the real world spilled onto the field. Sticking to sports, pretending that sports can take place in a vacuum, would have been profoundly dishonest.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Should sports reporting “stick to sports”? Should coverage focus more on scores and highlights? Or are broader societal issues an integral part of sports too? Why or why not?

Do you agree with Mr. Petchesky that “sports is everything, and everything is sports”? Which aspects of his argument that sports doesn’t “take place in a vacuum” resonate most?

Where do you get your sports news and why? Do you have a favorite sports reporter or sports news venue? On the whole, would you say that you prefer a “stick to sports” approach or the kind of broader sports coverage that Deadspin offered?

What kinds of sports stories are you interested in most? Is there a recent story that stands out? If yes, tell us why.

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Jeremy Engle joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2018 after spending more than 20 years as a classroom humanities and documentary-making teacher, professional developer and curriculum designer working with students and teachers across the country. More about Jeremy Engle

International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

HCII 2022: HCI International 2022 - Late Breaking Papers. Interaction in New Media, Learning and Games pp 97–114 Cite as

Sports Journalism: Its Global Future in the Age of Digital Media

• Olga Monteiro Da Silva 14 ,
• Ricardo G. Lugo 15 ,
• Richard Lenton 14 &
• Andrea M. Firth 14  
• Conference paper
• First Online: 25 November 2022

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 13517))

This study considers the possible future outcomes and developments of sports journalism in the age of digital media. A group of sports journalists from different countries around the world rationalised their points of view, in relation to the economy and sustainability of their profession in the digital era, alongside the digital changes they have faced during their careers. Despite having disclosed their personal opinions, several significant and strong correlations were found in almost all aspects. The sports journalists emphasise more advantages than disadvantages of digital media in their daily lives, and, despite recognising that the sector is in crisis, they believe that it will be possible to overcome it by producing creative content and increasing online interaction with consumers. Financially, the majority agree that they will have to put aside old advertisement practices and introduce new premium versions and paid content. Despite some disagreements in thoughts, it is concluded that to survive they will undoubtedly have to adapt to the online platforms and develop features that keep pace with the advancement of the digital world.

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Monteiro Da Silva, O., Lugo, R.G., Lenton, R., Firth, A.M. (2022). Sports Journalism: Its Global Future in the Age of Digital Media. In: Meiselwitz, G., et al. HCI International 2022 - Late Breaking Papers. Interaction in New Media, Learning and Games. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13517. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22131-6_8

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Sports Journalism: Significance and Impact in Media

Explore the dynamic field of Sports Journalism. Uncover the pivotal role it plays in bringing sports stories to life. Delve into the essential skills required to excel in the world of sports reporting. Gain insights into the ethical considerations and responsibilities that come with Sports Journalism. Read more to learn!

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If you are interested to start your career in Sports Journalism  you have come to the right place. Before you begin your new journey in this domain, you need to know What is Sports Journalism. 

Sports Journalism can be defined as a form of Journalism that reports on matters concerning sporting topics and competitions. One of the most popular forms of Journalism, it goes beyond the scores and statistics, delving into the heart of the game and the stories behind the athletes.

 Are you interested to learn more? Discover What is Sports Journalism through this blog and learn its significance, skills required and career prospects as in this industry.

Table of Contents 

1)  What is Sports Journalism?

2) Skills needed in Sports Journalism 

3) Ethics in Sports Journalism 

4) Career prospects in Sports Journalism

5) Conclusion 

 Understanding What is Sports Journalism  

Sports Journalism is not merely about recounting scores and outcomes; it serves as the conduit through which sports enthusiasts connect with their favourite games, athletes, and the broader sporting landscape. By delving into the heart of sporting events and their human stories, Sports Journalism transcends the realm of information dissemination and assumes a multifaceted role that shapes perceptions, sparks debates, and influences the very fabric of the sporting world. 

Informing and engaging fans 

At its core, Sports Journalism acts as a bridge between sporting events and their audience. Through concise match reports, insightful analyses, and expert commentaries, Sports Journalists provide fans with the latest updates, in-depth insights, and a deeper understanding of the games they cherish. Whether it's the thrill of a last-minute goal or the tactics behind a game-changing decision, Sports Journalists narrate the drama, ensuring that fans are not mere spectators, but informed and engaged participants in the sport. 

Investigating and uncovering stories 

Beyond the surface-level excitement, Sports Journalism has the power to uncover stories that transcend the boundaries of the field. Investigative Sports Journalism can shed light on issues such as corruption, doping scandals, and social injustices within the sports industry. By holding stakeholders accountable and revealing hidden narratives, Sports Journalists play a vital role in preserving the integrity of the games we love. 

Humanising athletes 

Athletes aren't just numbers on a scoreboard; they are individuals with unique backgrounds, struggles, and triumphs. Sports Journalism takes a humanising approach, bringing athletes' personal stories to the forefront. These stories inspire, motivate, and showcase the resilience that propels athletes to achieve greatness. By revealing the personal journeys behind the medals, Sports Journalists remind us that sports are as much about the people as they are about the competition. 

Cultural and societal reflections 

Sports have a way of reflecting the societies in which they are played. Sports Journalists recognise this interconnectedness and often explore how sports intersect with culture, politics, and societal norms. Whether it's the celebration of diversity in the Olympics or the role of sports in addressing social issues, Sports Journalism amplifies the profound impact that sports have on our collective identity. 

The spark for conversations and debates 

Sports are not immune to controversies and debates, and Sports Journalism acts as the catalyst for these conversations. From heated discussions on team strategies to discussions on the fairness of refereeing decisions, Sports Journalists provide a platform for fans to voice their opinions and engage in healthy debates. These discussions deepen our connection to the games and encourage critical thinking about the broader implications of sports. 

Inspiration and aspiration 

Skills needed in Sports Journalism  

Writing proficiency 

At the heart of Sports Journalism lies the art of storytelling through the written word. Clear, concise, and engaging writing is essential for delivering match reports, features, and analyses that captivate readers. The ability to craft compelling headlines, use descriptive language to evoke emotions, and structure narratives effectively is crucial in keeping readers hooked from the first sentence to the last. 

Research skills 

Behind every well-written sports article is thorough research. From player statistics and historical data to the latest developments in the sports world, Sports Journalists need to be adept at gathering accurate and relevant information. Strong research skills enable Journalists to provide context, analyse trends, and offer insights that enhance the depth and quality of their reporting. 

Interviewing techniques  

Interviewing athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders is a key aspect of Sports Journalism. Developing effective interviewing techniques allows Journalists to extract authentic stories and perspectives from their subjects. Building rapport, asking insightful questions, and Active Listening are essential skills that contribute to creating engaging and informative interviews. 

Multimedia expertise 

In today's digital age, Sports Journalism extends beyond written articles. Proficiency in multimedia tools is invaluable for creating diverse content. Skills in photography, video editing, and podcast production enable Journalists to present their stories through different mediums, catering to a wider audience and enhancing the overall storytelling experience. 

Adaptability and quick thinking 

Sports are unpredictable, and the ability to adapt to unexpected developments is crucial. Journalists often need to switch gears quickly, adjust their narratives, and produce content under tight deadlines. Being flexible and composed in high-pressure situations ensures that readers receive timely and accurate information. 

Networking skills 

Building a network within the sports industry opens doors to exclusive insights, interviews, and access to events. Cultivating relationships with athletes, coaches, agents, and other Journalists can provide unique angles and fresh perspectives that enrich your reporting. 

Critical thinking and objectivity 

Sports Journalists must navigate bias and remain impartial in their reporting. Critical thinking skills help separate fact from opinion, ensuring that stories are accurate and fair. Striving for objectivity allows Journalists to maintain credibility and earn the trust of their readers. 

Attention to detail 

The devil is in the details, especially in Sports Journalism. A keen eye for detail ensures that statistics, names, and facts are accurately reported. This meticulousness contributes to the overall quality of the content and reflects the Journalist's commitment to delivering reliable information. 

Unlock your literary potential with our Creative Writing Training today! 

Ethics in Sports Journalism  

Ethics form the moral compass of Journalism, and Sports Journalism is no exception. Upholding principles of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility is paramount in maintaining the credibility and integrity of the field. As a Sports Journalist, you'll encounter various ethical considerations that guide your reporting: 

Objectivity and impartiality 

Sports Journalists are entrusted with the task of presenting the truth without bias. Objectivity requires presenting all sides of a story, irrespective of personal opinions or affiliations. Remaining impartial is essential in ensuring that readers receive balanced information and can form their own opinions based on the facts presented. 

Reporting accurate information 

Accuracy is the cornerstone of ethical Sports Journalism. Verifying facts, cross-checking statistics, and confirming information from reliable sources are fundamental steps in delivering trustworthy content. Inaccurate reporting not only damages your credibility but can also have far-reaching consequences for athletes, teams, and the sporting community. 

Avoiding sensationalism 

While capturing the excitement and drama of sports is important, sensationalism that exaggerates or distorts facts should be avoided. Responsible Sports Journalists strive to maintain the integrity of their reporting, steering clear of clickbait headlines or stories that prioritise shock value over truth. 

Respecting privacy and dignity 

Athletes are public figures, but they're entitled to a certain degree of privacy and respect. Sports Journalists should be mindful of invading an individual's personal life beyond what's relevant to their athletic achievements. Delicate matters, such as an athlete's health or personal struggles, should be reported with sensitivity and respect for their dignity. 

Transparency in sources 

Being transparent about the sources of your information builds trust with your readers. Clearly attributing quotes, statistics, and data to their original sources helps readers evaluate the credibility of the information presented. It also prevents the spread of misinformation or the appearance of plagiarism. 

Avoiding conflicts of interest 

Maintaining independence and integrity means avoiding conflicts of interest that could compromise your reporting. Disclose any potential conflicts, such as personal relationships with athletes or financial interests, to your audience. Transparency is essential in preserving your credibility and ensuring ethical reporting. 

Fact-checking and corrections  

Even the most diligent Journalists can make mistakes. When errors are discovered, it's essential to correct them promptly and transparently. Issuing corrections demonstrates your commitment to accuracy and accountability. 

Responsible use of visuals 

In the age of visual storytelling, ethics extend to the use of images and videos. Obtaining proper permissions for media usage, avoiding manipulation of visuals to mislead, and refraining from publishing overly graphic content are all ethical considerations that demonstrate respect for both subjects and audiences. 

Championing diversity and inclusion 

Ethical Sports Journalism embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity. Reflecting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of athletes and fans ensures a more accurate representation of the sports community and resonates with a wider audience.

Unlock the storyteller within you – sign up for our Journalism Course today!

Career prospects in Sports Journalism

There are many career prospects if you are studying Sports Journalism. Let’s look at some of them :

PR Executive

As a PR Executive you will be responsible for managing information between businesses, organisations, a club and the press and public. You will be responsible to generate positive news for the sports organisation or club and spread them across various media channels. You will also have to be updated with the latest trends, news and updates where your organisation is being mentioned. 

Club Content Producer

As a Club Content Producer, you will be responsible for various tasks. Nowadays, since most of the audiences consume content from online, social media, blogs, articles, etc., you will have to stay vigilant in maintaining the online presence of your organisation. Whether it be curating videos, blogs, articles, interviews, match day programmes, marketing materials, etc., being an excellent writer and a creative thinker will help you to carry out this plethora of responsibilities. 

There are numerous sports fans who voraciously consume content directly from the club website. Hence, you will also have to manage player interviews, club announcements, and other related materials which will hold the attention of the fans.

Photographer

There is a huge demand for good, professional Sports Photographers in all clubs. The images that you capture may have the capacity to make history and educate future players and fans for years to come. To become a professional Sports Photographer, you need to have a lot of patience, resilience and dedication, as these qualities are going to be crucial along with your technical skills. Your editing skills also need to be at the best, so that they can be uploaded in a matter of minutes.

Chief Sports Reporter

In this role as a Chief Sports Reporter, you will help to dictate the news agenda both in offline and online mode. As a Reporter you will also help lead the team and maintain the standard of the club or the organisation. In this job role, you have the prospect of even becoming a National Sports Reporter, if you can show advanced and consistent standard in your organisation.

Website Editor

A Website Editor is probably one of the most important roles that you can take up in a sports club or organisation. You will be responsible for maintaining the face of the organisation. Along with that, you will also have the privilege of deciding what content will work for your organisation. You will have full autonomy in deciding which content will bring in more engagement and page views to the website of your organisation. As an Editor, you will also decide what will work best with the audience of the organisation.

Conclusion 

We hope you understood What is Sports Journalism from this blog. We discussed thatSports Journalism empowers us to see beyond the scoreboard. Guided by ethics, powered by diverse skills, and driven by passion, Sports Journalists elevate our understanding, inspire conversations, and humanise athletes. By mastering Journalistic skills, embracing objectivity, and upholding integrity, we can unlock the true essence of sports.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is preferrable if you complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English, Communications or Journalism. Having a degree in Bachelor of Journalism will help you to showcase your proficiency and efficiency to work in this domain.

If you want to gain practical experience in Sports Journalism during your studies, you can write to your school or any local newspaper or magazine. You can also intern in any sports media outlet, create a podcast and even make a vlog on your YouTube channel.

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Alongside our diverse Online Course Catalogue, encompassing 17 major categories, we go the extra mile by providing a plethora of free educational Online Resources like News updates, Blogs , videos, webinars, and interview questions. Tailoring learning experiences further, professionals can maximise value with customisable Course Bundles of TKA .

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The Knowledge Academy offers various Personal Development courses , including Organisational skills training, Emotional Intelligence Training, and Report Writing Course. These courses cater to different skill levels, providing comprehensive insights into Journalism methodologies .  

Our Personal Development blogs covers a range of topics related to Sports Journalism, offering valuable resources, best practices, and industry insights. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your skills as a Journalist, The Knowledge Academy's diverse courses and informative blogs have you covered.  

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What 8 young sports journalists want students to know about starting their careers

Here’s what you can be doing to set yourself up for success while in school..

The Lead is a weekly newsletter that provides resources and connections for student journalists in both college and high school.  Sign up here  to have it delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning during the school year.

So you want to find a job as a sports journalist. What can you be doing to set yourself up for success while in school? What resources can you take advantage of?

Eight sports journalists in their first few years on the job shared valuable advice and tips for current students. And if you’re looking for a news job, much of this advice applies outside sports, too.

Bailey Johnson: High school sports reporter, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch University of Michigan, 2020

My favorite piece of advice to give student journalists is simple: meet your deadlines, file clean copy and be pleasant to work with. Being reliable and easy to work with will take you so much further than you can imagine. Also, never say no to an assignment — within reason, of course! Being well-rounded is a huge asset in today’s landscape, and stepping back from your normal beat to cover something different is an unbeatable way to get refreshed and come back with new ideas.

Wilson Alexander: LSU beat writer, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) University of Georgia, 2018

Do the work. Like anything else in life, we become better writers and reporters by doing the job over and over again. So, join the student newspaper, freelance for another publication and apply to internships. If you’re doing the work, you’ll set yourself up for success. And when you’re not working, read good stories! That helps, too.

Ben Pope: Chicago Blackhawks beat reporter, Chicago Sun-Times Northwestern University, 2019

Talk to everyone you can. I’m an introvert who was originally drawn to this industry by a love of sports and a talent for writing, but the interpersonal side of reporting has always been my weakness. Interviewing players is a skill even an introvert can eventually master, but I’ve learned sports journalism at the professional level requires so many more interactions than that. Developing good relationships with coaches, front-office employees, broadcasters and other media members, team staffers and even stadium/arena workers is not only crucial to being as informed as possible for your reporting, but also to feel legitimate and comfortable, and to be able to enjoy and operate smoothly while on the day-to-day grind.

Christina Long: Arkansas Razorbacks beat writer, Southwest (Arkansas) Times Record/USA Today Network University of Missouri, 2021

You should absolutely connect with your student paper about covering sports for them if you aren’t already. And once you’re covering a team, go to everything you reasonably can. At risk of sounding like a strength coach, so much of getting better at this work is about reps. Remember not only to cover the team, but listen to and read the reporters around you. What do they talk about or note during the game? What are they asking post-game, and how are they asking it? What do you like (or dislike) about their coverage? As you build confidence in covering games, look for enterprise stories that go beyond what you’ve seen on the field or the court. And never be afraid to ask for help. Whether that’s asking for directions to the press box or asking a friend or mentor to read a feature before you file, people will surprise you with their willingness to guide you and you’ll learn a ton. If you aren’t already a student member of the Association for Women in Sports Media (worthwhile for men, too) or Associated Press Sports Editors , look into a student membership and/or student chapters on your campus. Those two organizations have gotten me nearly every professional opportunity I’ve had. My current editor knew me from my entries into the APSE student contest, and now I work for him. National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Asian American Journalists Association are not sports-specific, but they are just some of the invaluable identity-based organizations out there that help journalists at all levels.

Kaelen Jones: Staff writer, The Ringer Arizona State University, 2018

The most important things I’ve learned in my four years since college are: 1.) You have to give your full effort. 2.) You have to always do things that are in your best interest. 3.) You have to know what you want to accomplish, and walk confidently in knowing that. (To clarify, this does not mean be a jerk to people; you’d be shocked at how humble some of the world’s best journalists are). The easiest thing to do from that list is No. 1. Finding exactly what drives you and makes you happy is very important to identify, and plays directly into how much effort you can and are willing to give. That helps with the second thing. I’ve learned first-hand that media companies are concerned more with their bottom line than they are your development or well-being. Always look out for yourself and be proactive whenever you join a publication. In this field, it’s important to develop your skill level (watch/read talented people and study what they do well). It’s also important to put yourself in positions where your talent can gain exposure, because that leads to opportunities and relationships. Reach out to people you admire. If prominent names are visiting campus, seek them and ask questions. If there are programs or internships that would elevate your resume or—more importantly—get you in the building around decision-makers, apply to them.

Giana Han: Philadelphia Flyers beat reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer Penn State University, 2019

When I first started looking for full-time jobs, there were seven openings across the country. There were some in Idaho, Montana and Alabama — I didn’t even know where Idaho and Montana were on the map. But I applied to all of them, and the only one I interviewed for was the one I got. It was extremely hard to move so far from home, and Alabama was a culture shock. Many people said they wouldn’t have done it. But stepping out of my comfort zone made me a better person and a better journalist, and it was the No. 1 reason I got my current job. Along the way, I’ve learned that if you don’t look at any job or task as below you, that openness and humility will go a long way. My college education only provided the absolute basics, and my internships helped a bit more, but most of my young career has been about asking questions and learning from my mistakes.

Nick Kelly: Alabama football and basketball reporter, The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News/USA TODAY Network University of Missouri, 2020

Even if you don’t feel completely ready for an internship, a job, an interview, give it a shot anyway. You’ll be amazed by what you can pull off when you just say yes and figure out the rest along the way. Now, it’s OK to say no if you don’t feel like something is the right opportunity for you. In fact, that can be healthy. But don’t let fear be the reason why you might turn something down. Jump in and try to tell some great stories. Oh, and drink some water, too. You write better when you’re hydrated.

Emily Giambalvo: Sports writer, The Washington Post University of Georgia, 2018

I covered college football as a student, and I got a college beat job after I graduated so it felt similar in terms of the work. But the pressure I put on myself was much different, and I struggled a lot with feeling insecure (and still do). I don’t think that’s something that goes away easily. This is a corny sports cliche, but I started to feel better when I told myself I had to ‘play my own game.’ I try to remember that I don’t have to cover a beat or do this job in the exact same way as others. I just want to do it in a way that feels comfortable to me and uses my strengths. I also hate the word “networking” and wish college students didn’t think it was such a big deal. It’s valuable to talk to journalists you admire, but it should only be looked at through that lens. Don’t ‘network’ because you think that person is going to be the reason you get a job one day. I think if you do good work and focus on being a generally good human you’ll have what you need to be successful.

A note from one newsroom worth following

Major American newsrooms have called themselves objective for generations, but their coverage has always been defined by homogenous teams that fail to account for race, gender, class, disability, and sexuality. The Objective is a nonprofit newsroom holding journalism accountable for past and current systemic biases in reporting and newsroom practices. For media critique, journalism events, and Q&As with industry leaders, subscribe to their newsletters .

Opportunities and trainings

• Poynter’s internship database lists paid newsroom internships at publications around the country.
• College students and recent graduates, apply for the HBCU Summer News Fellowship Program by Feb. 7.
• High school students, enter The New York Times’ profile contest by Feb. 16.
• High school students, enter the JEA/SPJ essay contest by Feb. 19.
• Register for The Association of LGBTQ Journalists’ student conference , to be held virtually Feb. 25-26.
• Enter NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge by Feb. 28.
• High school juniors, apply for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference by March 1.
• Register for The Nation’s free student journalism conference , to be held virtually March 4.
• High school seniors, consider applying for your state’s Journalist of the Year contest this spring. Deadlines vary by state.

💌 Last week’s newsletter: Getting out of your comfort zone: Tips for integrating sports into your newsroom

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Opinion | Women’s basketball takes the spotlight with sensational performances … on and off the court

This weekend’s games shattered ESPN’s viewership numbers for all basketball games — men and women, college and professional.

Gannett journalists in the solar eclipse’s path go on strike

Unionized workers at the Austin American-Statesman and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle are striking over stalled contract negotiations

Is CERN activating the world’s most powerful particle accelerator for the April 8 eclipse? No

CERN restarted its Large Hadron Collider after a regular winter stop for maintenance. It is unrelated to the eclipse. 

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CFP | 1.7. | Ethics of sports journalism

Published: 14 Jun 2017 By: JRN Tags: CFP , journalistic norms

The Institute of Communication Ethics Annual Conference, organized in London, is calling for papers.

“Sports content is a crucial aspect of many media organisations’ output. But while the ethical issues surrounding news journalism are closely scrutinised, the ethical dilemmas facing sports journalism are often neglected, or even unacknowledged”, the call describes the current situation.

The conference aims to provide a space for analysis and discussion on the varied ethical issues confronting sports journalists.

[spoiler title=’ Topics might include:’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

•Too cosy a relationship? Sports journalists and sports PR managers

•Does sports journalism need a separate industry code?

•Taking the (click)bait: are website visitor targets undermining high-quality sports journalism?

•Covering diversity in sports – issues of representation in sports coverage

•Using social media as a sports journalist: the ethical issues

•Sports journalism and ‘entrapment’: the ethical issues involved in an undercover investigation

•Branded content – is it in danger of killing independent sports journalism?

•“Fans with typewriters”. How prepared are sports journalists to cover ‘hard’ news on top of the regular diet of press conferences and matches?

•How should ethics and regulation be taught to sports journalists, both in industry and on training courses?

•Fan sites: when citizen sports journos challenge the news values of corporate media’s sports coverage

•Sports celebrities – and the ‘human interest’ bias of the media

•Local sports coverage – the necessary manufacture of ‘imagined communities’?

These issues – and more – will be of interest to academics, journalists, sports media relations practitioners and students working in the field of sports communications.

200-word abstracts should be sent by 1 July 2017 .

More information can be found from the full CFP on the ECREA mailing list .

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Category: 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four

Edey’s selflessness, growth lead purdue to national title game.

By William Jones Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Zach Edey’s path to the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as the focus of the Purdue Boilermakers has been a journey that is a testament to his development as a player and leader. Edey’s leadership became respected in the Purdue locker room …

UConn Needs Donovan Clingan, Person and Player, To Win Title

By Kobe Mosley | @mosleymedia8 Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – There are plenty of things about UConn star Donovan Clingan that make him seem like an average 20-year-old. He is a jokester with his teammates, makes it a point to be first at everything — literally everything, according to teammate Andrew Hurley — …

Castle’s 21 Points Leads UConn to Second Straight Title Game

By Kobe Mosley | @mosleymedia8 Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — For about the first 28 minutes of the game, Alabama seemed to be winning the battle of runs against defending champion UConn. The Huskies failed to extend a lead greater than eight points during this stretch, thanks in large part to the Crimson …

Purdue Pushes Past N.C. State, Reaches First NCAA Title Game in 55 Years

By William Jones | @WillWUmoney Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Purdue Boilermakers are one game away from their first NCAA men’s basketball championship. In a 63-50 semifinal victory, the Boilermakers pushed past the North Carolina State Wolfpack to reach their first championship game in 55 years. The Boilermakers (34-4) will meet the …

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Former Detroit Tigers writer uses lessons from old job to honor father with local business

The art of baseball is best understood up close. And for almost six years, few had a better view than Chris Iott.  

Of all the sports a writer can cover, none require the grind like baseball. One-hundred sixty-two games. Half of them on the road. Extra innings into the wee hours on a Saturday night. Manager’s news conferences early Sunday morning. Every day, multiple stories.  

For almost six years, Iott grinded with the best of them. Said goodbye to his wife, Amanda, and three kids in February, said hello to them again in October, depending on the playoffs.  

It felt like that anyway.

“I always said, ‘baseball beat writing is a great job for somebody who is single — or wants to be.’” 

Iott sprinkled that wit in his coverage for MLive, and on what used to be known as Twitter. He built a healthy following through wry musings and meticulous daily reporting.  

He was an observer first, passing along his learnings without judgment, even if he sometimes wanted to. He never took for granted what he was watching. 

“I covered Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, so many guys that were at the top of their game,” he said. “Even if I didn’t like the person, I appreciated the brilliance. It’s dumb to say, but I don’t think we realize sometimes how good these guys are.” 

His favorite moments came in the morning, after the manager had spoken, and he was back in the press box, preferably an open air one, sipping a cup of coffee, watching the sun move across all that empty, lush Kentucky bluegrass.  

Despite the grind, Iott remembers getting lost in the whack of the bat during hitting practice, or the thwack of the ball hitting glove. The movements on a diamond are so practiced and precise they border on the balletic, and Iott would catch himself mesmerized, whether in April or in August.  

These are the moments he thinks about when he considers his former life, when baseball slips out of winter, sun and renewal in tow. He’d have been on the road — mostly in Lakeland, Florida, — for two months by now, maybe longer.  

He’d have said goodbye to one family and re-integrated into another. 

A transition that wore on him after a while, but a transition that taught him, too, and if not for everything he learned navigating the innerworkings of a big-league team and all its sharp-edged complexity, he might not be where he is now.  

Working from home in Jackson, jumping in a pickup truck whenever he likes, managing clients for his social media business, driving his daughter to dance lessons, cooking dinner for Amanda, distilling vodka. 

I caught up with Iott over the phone recently to check in on his post-baseball life. The anticipation of Opening Day has a way of making one look back — and look out.  

Iott and I traveled the country together for a couple of summers during a time of change in our lives. In the span of a year, he lost his mom and his dad. It was early February when his dad died and a few weeks later he was in Lakeland, in an apartment, alone, except for the roaches. 

“I just wanted to be home,” he said.  

Meanwhile, my mother was a few years into dementia. She knew me less by the week. I’d lost my father when I was young, and we could relate.  

“You kind of realize you’re not going to live forever,” he said.  

Yet he wasn’t quite ready to leave the beat. It was teaching him things. About baseball, sure. About deadlines and the passion of fans on social media, too. But the lessons that stuck with him were about himself. 

It may seem counterintuitive for a recluse, for someone who struggled with social anxiety to take a job covering baseball, but Iott liked journalism, enjoyed baseball, and felt grateful for the chance. In the beginning, it took a lot for him to walk up to Cabrera or Verlander and interrupt them at their locker because he had a question and a deadline.  

It took a lot, too, to steel himself for the twice-daily forays into Jim Leyland’s office; reporters gather with the manager before and after every game. Leyland could be charming and funny and was a world-class storyteller, but he didn’t always enjoy the scrum.  

“He and I had our differences," said Iott. “It’s like an arranged marriage, you didn’t choose each other. But from February to October, I saw him more than my wife.” 

As Iott’s gotten older, he’s come to value authenticity over just about anything else. His father was authentic, a potato farmer in Kalkaska. Not that authenticity is the purview of the rural; Leyland has that trait as well.  

“I really appreciated that in him after my dad died,” said Iott, who said he truly appreciated a call from Leyland after his mother died.  

Iott began thinking of a way to honor his father sometime after his death. And since his brothers were running the potato farm, that was out. But what about vodka? The best kinds are made from potatoes. It could be a local label, named after the river his dad was so fond of in Kalkaska.  

Well, not the name of the river, but the word “river.” And so, North River vodka was born. The first bottle arrived in 2018. A year later, the vodka could be found from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor to Traverse City, where it happens to be distilled, all from his family's potato farm.

Think of it as a sipping spirit, like bourbon, and not something to splash into juice to get hammered. Though Iott is happy if you want to use it for screwdrivers — he isn’t judging. He's thrilled to have his vodka on shelves, served in restaurants.

“It’s a legacy,” said Iott, “a labor of love.” 

While he and Amanda make money from the business — she helped start it, too, and Iott likes to joke that his father would be rolling in his grave if he knew the price ($32.99) — their primary income comes from their other jobs: social media consulting, teaching.  

Jobs he would have only dreamed about doing before he became a beat writer, before learning how to talk to occasionally irritable athletes and sometimes cranky managers. Navigating their space every day gave him confidence. So did traveling around the country.  

“(Covering baseball),” he said, “took me so far out of my comfort zone. When I first started, I was afraid of every airport, every city, afraid of getting lost in ball parks. One day, in Boston, Amanda goes, ‘I want to see Harvard.’ So, I drove to Harvard.’” 

She was stunned. This wasn’t the same husband she knew before he was forced to venture out.  

“The job,” he said, “opened up (my) world ... it stretched me.” 

And so, the dream of honoring his father, of starting his own consulting business, got easier to see, until one day, he gave his notice. It was time to head out into the world in a different way. Besides, he was tired of saying goodbye to his kids.  

For the past eight years, Iott has been living the kind of life he could not have without the half decade or so on the toughest beat in sports. And, for a while, he didn’t check in much with the team.  

But he’s ready to start watching again, and even recently bought a streaming package to do that. Baseball is hard to leave forever, I suppose. And even though his view of the game isn’t what it once was, he can see as clearly as he ever has.  

Contact Shawn Windsor: 313-222-6487 or  [email protected] . Follow him @shawnwindsor .

Merrill College's Povich Center, Howard Center Project ‘Gambling on Campus’ Wins IRE Award

COLLEGE PARK — “ Gambling on Campus ," a wide-ranging investigation into universities and sports betting published by  The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism ,  Howard Center for Investigative Journalism  and  Capital News Service at the  University of Maryland , won the 2023 Investigative Reporters & Editors Award in the Student - Large category, the organization announced Friday.

The judges wrote: “An impressive effort. The broad survey helped show the breadth of the investigation. This is a system story holding the universities accountable. The story also identified shortfalls, which allow universities to skirt accountability.”

The two UMD  Philip Merrill College of Journalism  centers surveyed 145 Division I public universities in the states where sports betting is legal to share their campus policies addressing gambling. The centers could only confirm that 23% had published sports betting policies.

“‘Gambling on Campus’ was a challenging project with most universities unwilling to share details of their sponsor agreements with sports betting companies,” said Mark Hyman, Merrill College’s George Solomon Chair in Sports Journalism and director of the Povich Center. “Our students met the challenge using their data skills and with persistent reporting. I'm grateful to IRE for recognizing their outstanding work.”

The project consists of five stories, a video narrative and other visuals from Merrill College students in Hyman’s Fall 2022 capstone class, the Howard Center and at the college’s CNS bureaus, guided by faculty editors at the college.

The stories explore college students’ sports betting habits, university policies involving sports betting, the schools entering promotional partnerships with sportsbooks, how sports betting is being advertised on college campuses, and one university that piloted a marketing initiative to combat problem gambling. 

“It's more important than ever for students to learn investigative skills,” Howard Center Director Kathy Best said. “That's why we love collaborating with the Povich Center. And this investigation had an impact. Maryland changed its laws around gambling on campus after our stories ran.”

The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism, established in 2011 by a gift from the Povich family,  prepares students to be innovators and leaders in all facets of sports media. The center's unique, experiential curriculum and public programs elevate and amplify discussion of race, gender, politics and the world — just as Shirley Povich did each morning in The Washington Post.

The Howard Center, launched in 2019 by a grant from the Scripps Howard Fund, gives Merrill College students the opportunity to work with news organizations across the country to report stories of national or international importance to the public.

Capital News Service is Merrill College’s student-powered news organization with bureaus and news teams in Annapolis, Baltimore, College Park and Washington, D.C.

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MLB's 5 Most Valuable Teams 2024

Posted: April 8, 2024 | Last updated: April 8, 2024

The average Major League Baseball team is now worth $2.4 billion, 4% more than a year ago. With the exception of 2021— when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 baseball season—it was the first time values increased less than 4% year over year since 2010. The good news? Since Forbes first began doing valuations of MLB teams in 1998, when the average team was valued at $194 million, owning a team would have beaten inflation by more than five-fold and beaten the S&P 500 (excluding the reinvestment of dividends) by nearly double. Revenue in MLB rose 10% in 2023, to an average of $378 million per team—the steepest increase since 2015. That increase was due to record ticket, merchandise, television and licensing revenue. But operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) only went up 6%, to an average of $19 million due to more spending on players, technology and analytics. Forbes’ team valuations are enterprise values (equity plus net debt) based on historical transactions and the future economics of the sport and each team. Revenue and operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) are for the 2023 season and are net of revenue sharing, competitive balance taxes and stadium revenue used for debt service. Ownership stakes in regional sports networks, as well as related profits or losses, are excluded from our valuations and operating results, as are investments in real estate and other businesses. (For all-inclusive sports ownership valuations, see the 2023 Sports Empires rankings.) Sources include sports bankers, team and league executives, public documents like leases and filings related to public bonds, and media rights experts. Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/lists/mlb-valuations/?sh=12ce2ca1421d Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1 Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.

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Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite cannot explain England snub for recent friendlies with Brazil and Belgium - Paper Talk

Plus: Anthony Joshua confirms he will return to the ring in September following his win over Francis Ngannou; Sir Alex Ferguson didn't join Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford for Man Utd's game with Liverpool because he was watching his son take Peterborough to glory in the EFL Trophy final

Monday 8 April 2024 08:21, UK

The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday's newspapers...

Jarrad Branthwaite has said he doesn't know why he didn't feature for England in recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

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Sir Alex Ferguson didn't join Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford for Manchester United's game against Liverpool because he was at the EFL Trophy final.

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Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl has admitted his full focus is on Tuesday's huge Champions League clash against Arsenal - not the search for a new manager.

Anthony Joshua has confirmed he will return to the ring in September following his KO win against Francis Ngannou.

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Fans spotted Andre Onana smothering his gloves in Vaseline - but there is a clever reason behind the bizarre move.

Luton have upped their interest in Blackburn's red-hot forward Sam Szmodics.

Paul Heckingbottom may only be able to bring in one member of backroom staff if he takes the Sunderland job.

Former Rangers star Josh Windass revealed what Steven Gerrard was really like as a boss during training.

Mesut Ozil has revealed that there's one club he wished he'd played for at some point.

Liverpool have discovered a bargain release clause for Xabi Alonso, providing a new avenue to secure the Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Martin Odegaard says his Arsenal team should respect Harry Kane but not "fear" him ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.

Noni Madueke has revealed the Chelsea dressing room was "silent" following his side's 2-2 draw away to Sheffield United.

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Scottish football fans face hate crime complaints from members of the public who hear chants on TV at home, a senior lawyer has warned.

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Celtic have hit out at 'unacceptable' scenes that saw assistant boss John Kennedy allegedly struck with several coins at Ibrox.

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A former player of Jimmy Thelin says the Swedish manager is ready to give Aberdeen his decision.

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'Panama Papers' trial begins with key defendant denying guilt

Twenty-seven people went on trial on Monday in connection with the "Panama Papers" tax evasion scandal, with one of the main defendants denying accusations of money laundering.

The 2016 leaks revealed how many of the world's wealthy stashed assets in offshore companies, exposing high-profile personalities and triggering scores of investigations around the globe.

The defendants on trial include Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca Mora, the founders of the now-defunct law firm at the center of the scandal, as well as other lawyers and former employees.

They are charged with money laundering and if convicted face up to 12 years in prison.

Mossack, 76, said at the hearing that he was "not responsible" for alleged crimes.

Earlier he told journalists outside the court he was "very optimistic" and that "if there is real justice" then he would be cleared.

Defense lawyer Dionicio Rodriguez said the case was "a trial against the Panamanian legal profession" because "activities are being prosecuted that are legal in many other countries in the world."

Fonseca, 71, did not attend because he was in the hospital, according to his lawyer.

The leaked trove of 11.5 million files from the law firm Mossack Fonseca implicated influential figures including billionaires, politicians and even sports stars.

Icelandic prime minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was forced to resign after it was revealed his family had offshore accounts.

Then Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from office for life after being implicated in the documents.

Others implicated included former British premier David Cameron, football star Lionel Messi, Argentina's then-president Mauricio Macri and Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, to name but a few.

The files were leaked to a German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Many of those caught up in the scandal put forward reasons to explain their offshore presence and said they did not act illegally.

Even so, Mossack Fonseca said in 2018 that it would close due to "irreparable damage" to its reputation.

- 'More action needed' -

The scandal dealt a severe blow to Panama's image as an offshore financial hub.

The country subsequently carried out legal reforms that led to its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's "gray list" of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

The Paris-based organization decided that Panama had made progress in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

But the Central American nation remains on a European Union tax haven blacklist.

"Eight years later, changes are happening, but more action is needed," Olga de Obaldia, executive director of Transparency International in Panama, told AFP.

The fact that some of its current laws against money laundering did not exist when the Panama Papers revelations emerged could complicate efforts to achieve convictions, according to legal experts.

"The crux of the matter is whether a crime was committed in Panama or not under the regulations at the time," Carlos Barsallo, a jurist and former head of Transparency International's Panama office, told AFP.

According to Barsallo, in 2021 the Supreme Court exonerated a Mossack Fonseca employee by indicating that her actions at that time were not a crime in Panama.

"It may generate confusion and frustration in the international community if this is the outcome after so many years and so much news," he said.

In 2023, Mossack and Fonseca were tried in Panama for alleged money laundering in Brazil's "Car Wash" corruption scandal involving construction group Odebrecht.

The prosecution requested up to 12 years in prison for both in that case. The sentence has not yet been announced.

The latest trial is expected to run until April 26.

jjr/fj/dr/nro

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