6.1 Identifying Compelling Sports Stories

Feature writing in sports journalism is all about finding the stories that captivate readers beyond just game scores. It's about uncovering the human drama, personal triumphs, and cultural significance that make sports so compelling.

To identify great sports features, look for elements like timeliness, human interest, and conflict. Dig deeper to find unique angles that reveal the personalities and motivations behind the athletes. Remember to consider the wider impact and ethical implications of the stories you tell.

Newsworthy Sports Stories

Elements of Engaging Sports Stories

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Top images from around the web for Elements of Engaging Sports Stories

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  Top Sports stories - Tasnim News Agency View original

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• 

  Detecting Interesting Event Sequences for Sports Reporting - ACL Anthology View original

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• 

  Frontiers | Comparing Mental Health of Athletes and Non-athletes as They Emerge From a COVID-19 ... View original

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  Top Sports stories - Tasnim News Agency View original

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  Detecting Interesting Event Sequences for Sports Reporting - ACL Anthology View original

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• Timeliness is a key factor in newsworthiness, with stories that are current or upcoming having more immediacy and relevance to audiences
  • Breaking news about trades, signings, or coaching changes
  • Previews of upcoming games, tournaments or events
  • Recaps and reactions to recent games or performances while still fresh
• Proximity refers to how geographically close the story is to the audience, with local sports stories often generating more interest
  • High school or college sports in the community
  • Hometown heroes who have gone on to professional success
  • Impact of local teams and athletes on civic pride and identity
• Prominence involves the notoriety of the athletes, coaches or teams involved in the story. Higher-profile subjects attract more attention
  • Superstars and hall-of-famers in major sports (LeBron James, Tom Brady)
  • Perennial championship contenders and marquee franchises (Yankees, Lakers)
  • Nationally recognized coaches and executives (Bill Belichick, Gregg Popovich)
• Human interest elements like overcoming adversity, achieving milestones, or unique personal stories make sports stories more emotionally compelling
  • Athletes who have battled back from severe injuries or illnesses
  • Underdog teams or players who defy the odds and expectations
  • Sports figures who engage in exceptional charity work or activism

Heightening Drama and Stakes

• Conflict and controversy, such as rivalries, disputes, or scandals, heighten drama and stakes in sports stories
  • Fierce rivalries between teams or individual athletes (Red Sox vs. Yankees)
  • Disputes between players and coaches or internal team dysfunction
  • Scandals involving cheating, substance abuse, or off-field misconduct
• The magnitude and impact of the sporting event or achievement, such as championships or record-breaking performances, increases newsworthiness
  • High-stakes events like the Super Bowl, World Series, or Olympics
  • Athletes setting new records or achieving statistical milestones
  • Championships that end long title droughts for teams or cities

Uncovering Unique Angles

Finding the Human Dimensions

• Look beyond the box score to find the "story behind the story" - the context, background or aftermath that fleshes out the human dimensions
  • The childhood experiences or family dynamics that shaped an athlete
  • How a dramatic win or loss affected the team's morale and relationships
  • The way a championship united and uplifted a city or fan base
• Research the backgrounds and personal lives of athletes to find interesting narratives, such as overcoming obstacles, unique hobbies/interests, or community involvement
  • Players who rose from poverty or difficult family situations
  • Athletes with unusual off-season jobs or creative pursuits
  • Sports figures who are heavily involved in local charities or causes
• Pursue "day in the life" stories or profiles that capture the behind-the-scenes routines and personalities of sports figures
  • The rigorous training and preparation of elite athletes
  • Coaches and their leadership styles and team-building methods
  • The camaraderie and hijinks among teammates behind closed doors

Exploring Wider Contexts and Angles

• Explore the ripple effects of sports events on families, friends, fans and the local community to illustrate their wider impact
  • Exuberant fan celebrations after a big win and what it means for the city
  • The economic impact of a team's success on local businesses
  • Inspiring a new generation to take up the sport after a championship
• Investigate the origins and traditions behind team names, rituals, and rivalries to add color
  • The history behind a team's name and iconic logo or mascot
  • Unique stadium traditions and crowd chants and their origins
  • The cultural and competitive forces that fuel a heated rivalry
• Follow up on "where are they now?" stories about notable athletes from the past to provide fresh angles
  • Catching up with stars from a famous championship team years later
  • The post-playing careers and transitions of hall-of-fame athletes
  • Revisiting the scenes of iconic sports moments and how they're remembered

Impact of Sports Stories

Audience Engagement and Expansion

• Consider the demographics, psychographics and fan loyalties of the target audience to gauge their level of interest in specific sports, leagues or athletes
  • The popularity of certain sports or leagues within age groups (NBA with younger fans)
  • Regional or cultural affinities for local teams and stars
  • The purchasing power and consumer habits of hardcore vs. casual fans
• Assess how the story may influence public perceptions and conversations around issues like sportsmanship, ethics, politics or social justice
  • Stories that spark debates about the unwritten rules and traditions of a sport
  • Athletes who take stands on political or social issues and inspire discourse
  • Scandals that call into question the integrity and values of a sport
• Analyze the story's potential to engage new audiences and expand interest in the sport beyond die-hard fans
  • Underdog or Cinderella stories that capture the imagination of general audiences
  • Opportunities to explain and demystify sports for non-fans
  • Capitalizing on the celebrity of crossover stars to draw in casual observers

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Determine if the story has crossover appeal to non-sports fans due to its human drama or societal implications
  • Sports stories that intersect with broader cultural trends or movements
  • Athletes whose personal triumphs or tragedies resonate universally
  • Sports as a microcosm or metaphor for larger issues like race relations or nationalism
• Evaluate the story's "stakes" in terms of its potential to make history, break barriers or set new standards in the sport
  • Athletes attempting to break long-standing records or statistical thresholds
  • Pioneering achievements by marginalized groups (women, minorities) in a sport
  • Changing the style of play or culture within a sport through innovation

Ethical Considerations in Sports Features

Sensitivity and Context

• Avoid sensationalizing or trivializing serious issues like mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence in the lives of athletes
  • Taking care not to stigmatize or scapegoat athletes who struggle with personal demons
  • Providing resources and context on issues rather than simply lurid details
  • Respecting the privacy of victims and allowing them to control their narratives
• Respect the privacy and personal boundaries of sports figures, especially when pursuing stories of a sensitive nature
  • Avoiding paparazzi-style intrusions into athletes' personal lives
  • Giving subjects the opportunity to opt out of discussing certain topics
  • Negotiating ground rules on access and attribution for behind-the-scenes stories
• Strive for balance and context in stories involving controversy or wrongdoing, allowing the accused parties to respond to allegations
  • Including perspectives from all sides of a dispute rather than a one-sided narrative
  • Resisting rush to judgment and allowing due process in scandals
  • Distinguishing between personal misconduct and professional excellence

Conflicts of Interest and Representation

• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as personal relationships with players or financial stakes in teams
  • Acknowledging friendships or history with sources in the sports world
  • Divesting from fantasy leagues or gambling that could influence coverage
  • Refusing gifts or favors that could create the appearance of bias
• Ensure that the framing and promotion of the story does not reinforce harmful stereotypes or biases around gender, race, nationality, etc.
  • Avoiding clichéd narratives of the "angry Black athlete" or "ditzy female fan"
  • Depicting LGBTQ athletes as multidimensional people rather than simply their orientation
  • Challenging xenophobic or jingoistic attitudes in international competition
• Verify the accuracy and credibility of all sources and information included in the story through fact-checking and corroboration
  • Independently confirming key details rather than relying on a single source
  • Clearly distinguishing between facts and opinions or rumors
  • Acknowledging and correcting errors quickly and prominently to maintain trust