You Can Do It All

In my research I did not intially find a lot of articles on African American female sportscasters. I found it interesting that it wasn’t until I had typed in a detailed description in my search engine for articles to be brought up. I also noticed that the majority of these women were titled sideline reporters, which meant that they have yet to have the same success as white women have had of doing play-by-plays. Here is a list of black women sportscasters and their job descriptions.

Maria Taylor discusses being An African American Woman in her profession, and also gives advice to young women that want to be reporters in an interview video. It is nice insight from a black women who has overcome two obstacles in sportscasting, race and sexuality.

I also found an article, Media is ‘failing women’, that shared results of the number of men compared to women in this field. It addresses gender imbalances stating, “An ASNE newsroom census cited in the report showed that newsrooms were 63.1 percent male and 36.9 percent female in 1999. In 2012, those percentages were exactly the same. For 2013, it was actually worse: 63.7 percent male and 36.3 percent female.” Also discussed is the race discrimination, revealing that “90 percent of sports editors are white.”

Another topic mentioned in this article is the fact that the women who have made it in this career are harassed by articles labeled “hottest” and “sexiest” sports reporters. It is disgusting that women are used for their looks to broadcast on sidelines and are labeled “sideline barbies.” This causes women to fret over their looks in order to maintain a satisfying look for men in order to accomplish or keep their jobs. Below is a photo that I personally took. It is the result of simply searching female sportscasters in YouTube.

Lisa Byington, an ambitious sportscaster for the Big Ten Network doing play-by-plays, is now sportscasting for the school she attended and graduated from, Northwestern University. She is another woman dominating this career. She also has her own website that features some of her history, photos, videos, blog, and social media accounts. She has worked her way through many different job titles and stations to be at the level she is now. Her little jobs in the beginning are no less to her than the big job she now takes on because they gave her experience and skills in reporting. As the first female doing play-by-plays in the Big Ten Network she is a role model to all females wishing to pursue sportscasting. Kristen Ray who interviews Byington in a podcast discusses Byington and women in sports on TV. It is a phenonmenal interview that should be heard by all women pursuing sportscasting!

“I was taught to never say no to opportunity.”

I have found a website that provides information on the career of sportscasting which includes: educational requirements, preferred experience, job qualifications, and salary. A short video is provided that reviews it all.

Following the video is a guide with links to online degrees, salaries and outlook, career information, program information, jobs, and top schools. A list of the top ten schools for sportscasting is listed. These schools provide degrees in journalism and communication, the major to pursue to become a sports broadcaster.

I found this website very informative and believe it to be helpful to anyone searching for information on how to become a sports broadcaster. Check it out!

Kate Scott had the opportunity to do a play-by-play for the NFL 49ers and the result of this is opening the door for other females who wish to do the exact same thing. It is stated by many, men being included, that she is always very prepared for her job and this helps make an impact. I was happy to find articles and videos of men supporting Scott in her career. Being an all around athlete helped her in making the decision to broadcast sports. Again, she is another female who worked her way up from the bottom and had to do many different jobs, some she did not love, to get to where she is passionate about what she is doing now. More about Kate Scott is found in the here on her personal website. Her website is fantastic because it offers information on her journey through both life and career. It also shares photos, videos, articles and interviews. The following video shows some insight on her success.

Another great article I found is from a student who wrote about Scott’s journey. It was Scott’s journey that inspired this student and so I hope seeing the effects it had on her will pass on to others. Kate Scott is an inspiration and progressing the change of sportscasting from a male dominated field to a gender neutral field.

“We’re not just sideline reporters anymore.”

Michelle Beadle, “earning $3 million a year, one of the highest-paid female sportscasters in the business today,”  worked her way through many jobs to be the well known sportscaster that she is now know for. Her bachelors degree in communication has helped her along the way. She is a prime example of a women who worked her way to the top through criticisms and controversies. She started out as interning and applying for small jobs that surprisingly lead her to bigger jobs, such as acting. She is an example of why one should follow their dreams and work hard! In the following video she explores the different aspects of her job that includes lots of fun however, as a female having tough skin is mandatory. Check it out!

“Who Is Michelle Beadle? Everything You Need to Know.” Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements of Journalist., www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/michelle-beadle-15033.php.