⚽Sports Journalism Unit 6 – Interviewing Key Sports Figures

Key Concepts and Techniques

• Understand the purpose and goals of the interview to guide your questions and approach
• Research the athlete's background, career highlights, and recent performances to demonstrate knowledge and respect
• Develop open-ended questions that encourage thoughtful responses and allow the athlete to share their perspective
• Listen actively during the interview, paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues
  • Use follow-up questions to clarify or expand on interesting points
• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor throughout the interview, regardless of the athlete's attitude or responses
• Be prepared to adapt your questions and approach based on the flow of the conversation and the athlete's responses
• Take accurate notes or record the interview (with permission) to ensure you capture key quotes and information

Pre-Interview Preparation

• Conduct thorough research on the athlete, their sport, and recent events or controversies
  • Review their career statistics, notable achievements, and any recent news or press coverage
• Develop a list of potential questions based on your research and the angle of your story
  • Prioritize the most important or interesting questions to ensure they are covered
  • Have backup questions prepared in case the conversation takes an unexpected turn
• Arrange logistics such as the interview location, time, and duration with the athlete's representative or media relations staff
• Test your recording equipment (if applicable) and bring backup supplies such as extra batteries or memory cards
• Dress appropriately for the interview setting and maintain a professional appearance
• Review any specific guidelines or restrictions provided by the athlete's team or league regarding the interview

Types of Sports Interviews

• Pre-game interviews focus on the athlete's preparation, mindset, and expectations for the upcoming competition
• Post-game interviews capture the athlete's immediate reactions, analysis of their performance, and thoughts on the outcome
• Feature interviews provide an in-depth look at the athlete's personal life, background, and motivations
  • Often conducted in a more relaxed setting and cover a broader range of topics
• Investigative interviews explore controversial issues, allegations, or scandals involving the athlete or their sport
• Expert interviews gather insights and analysis from coaches, trainers, or other professionals who work closely with the athlete
• Remote interviews conducted via phone, video call, or email when in-person access is not possible
  • Require additional preparation to ensure clear communication and audio quality

Crafting Effective Questions

• Begin with open-ended questions that encourage the athlete to provide detailed and thoughtful responses
  • Use "how," "why," and "what" to elicit more than just yes/no answers
• Follow up on interesting or unexpected responses with probing questions to gather more information
• Avoid leading questions that suggest a particular answer or bias
• Use specific examples or references to the athlete's performance to add context and depth to your questions
• Ask about the athlete's emotions, motivations, and mental approach to their sport
• Include questions that reveal the athlete's personality, values, and life outside of sports
• Conclude with forward-looking questions about the athlete's future goals, plans, or aspirations

Building Rapport with Athletes

• Begin the interview with friendly small talk or a compliment to help the athlete feel more comfortable
• Demonstrate genuine interest in the athlete as a person, not just as a source for your story
• Use body language and nonverbal cues to show engagement and attentiveness during the interview
  • Maintain eye contact, nod, and smile when appropriate
• Avoid interrupting the athlete or rushing to the next question, allowing them time to fully respond
• Show empathy and understanding when discussing sensitive or emotional topics
• Express gratitude for the athlete's time and willingness to share their thoughts and experiences
• Follow up after the interview with a thank-you note or message to maintain a positive relationship

Handling Challenging Situations

• Remain calm and professional if an athlete becomes defensive, evasive, or confrontational
  • Avoid engaging in arguments or becoming emotionally reactive
• Rephrase questions or approach sensitive topics from a different angle if the athlete is reluctant to respond
• Be prepared to move on to other questions if the athlete refuses to answer or ends the interview prematurely
• Respect the athlete's boundaries and privacy, avoiding questions that are overly personal or intrusive
• If an athlete makes off-the-record comments, clarify their intended meaning and respect their wishes regarding attribution
• Maintain journalistic integrity and objectivity, even if the athlete's responses are controversial or contradictory to other sources

Post-Interview Analysis and Follow-up

• Review your notes or recording of the interview to identify key quotes, themes, and insights
  • Transcribe relevant portions of the interview for accurate reporting
• Evaluate the overall tone and content of the athlete's responses to determine the focus and angle of your story
• Identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the athlete's comments that may require additional research or follow-up
• Reach out to other sources (coaches, teammates, experts) to provide context or alternative perspectives on the athlete's remarks
• If necessary, contact the athlete or their representative for clarification or additional comments before publishing your story
• Consider the potential impact of your story on the athlete, their team, and the sport as a whole

Ethics and Best Practices

• Always prioritize accuracy, fairness, and truthfulness in your reporting
  • Verify facts and quotes with multiple sources whenever possible
• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may affect your coverage of the athlete or their sport
• Respect the athlete's right to privacy and avoid reporting on personal matters unrelated to their sport or public life
• Obtain explicit consent before recording an interview or using off-the-record comments
• Provide the athlete with an opportunity to respond to any critical or controversial aspects of your story before publication
• Avoid sensationalizing or misrepresenting the athlete's words or actions in your reporting
• Adhere to any embargoes, restrictions, or guidelines set by the athlete, their team, or league regarding the use of interview content
• Continuously reflect on your own biases and strive to maintain objectivity and balance in your sports journalism