Sports coverage refers to the media’s coverage of sporting events, including the analysis and commentary that accompanies it. With advances in communications technologies, billions of people around the world can now watch live sporting events on television and other devices. Sports coverage has long attracted some of the best writers in journalism, a tradition dating back to Victorian England when the first reports on association football, cricket, rugby and horse racing were made.
A key element of any sports coverage is the commentators and analysts who narrate and describe the action on-screen as it unfolds, delivering insights and background information that enhance fans’ experience and understanding of the game. Play-by-play announcers provide instant updates and vivid descriptions of the unfolding drama, while color commentators (often former players or coaches) provide expert insight and interpretation.
Modern sports coverage also involves field and courtside reporters who capture real-time fan reactions, injury updates and behind-the-scenes stories that add a personal touch to viewers’ viewing experiences. While a traditional TV telecast is still the dominant platform for sports coverage, digital and streaming platforms are reshaping the landscape of sports media, delivering on-demand content and multi-angle views for more personalized viewing options.
Sports journalists have also tackled major social issues, from the treatment of Jackie Robinson to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball and combat sports, the problem of concussions in contact sports such as football and boxing, and sex abuse scandals like those involving Penn State or USA Gymnastics. It’s this willingness to go beyond the simple reporting of results and standings to explore major controversies that has earned some sports news outlets a reputation for being among the finest in journalism, such as “Sports Illustrated,” which has been in publication since 1954 and is famous for its annual swimsuit issue.