With the Covid restrictions lifting, people are looking for ways to engage with sports again. And what better way to do that than by following the games live or on replay? But without a team of your own, how can you feel connected to what’s happening? For those who are looking for a way to keep up with their passions for sports writing but don’t have the time to commit to a full-time role, finding a part-time online sports writing job might be the solution.
Here are some of the best places to find online sports writing jobs.
BuzzFeed
If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, the BuzzFeed platform may be the answer. Their official website states that they are “the biggest news company in the world, generating billions of pageviews each month”, which makes them a worthy candidate for online writing jobs. The advantage of working for BuzzFeed is that you’ll have access to some of the biggest stories in sports. You may be assigned to cover the NFL, the NBA, the Premier League or even the NCAA March Madness. All of these are viable options for part-time or full-time work.
The downside of working for BuzzFeed is that the pay is nothing spectacular (though it’s better than what you’d get if you were to apply for a job at a traditional news site). Additionally, the work can seem somewhat repetitive, especially if you are looking for real creative freedom. But for those who are looking to make some extra money and don’t have a lot of experience, Buzzfeed may be the answer.
HuffPost Sports
If you take a closer look at the Huffington Post website, you’ll see that they have a dedicated sports section. And not just any sports section, but the best one. If you check out their hiring page, you’ll see that they are specifically seeking columnists, bloggers, and journalists for their sports section. The pay is decent (especially if you are a college student), and the work may be more plentiful. Though it’s not the most reputable company, due to its founder, the Huffington Post does provide a good opportunity for those who are seeking to break into the industry.
Vice Sports
Similar to Buzzfeed, the Vice Sports website is another place you can find online writing jobs. Like Buzzfeed, Vice Sports is a digital media company focused on sports. And like Buzzfeed, they’re seeking contributing writers, columnists, and journalists for their sports section. But where Buzzfeed’s pay is relatively average, the pay at Vice Sports is much better, offering a minimum of $15,000 per year. Their platform is a bit more professional and polished than that of Buzzfeed, and although it’s not free to use, it has a much better reputation. Additionally, some of the bigger publications, such as the NY Times, have partnered with Vice Sports, which gives you even more opportunity to write for an established brand. It’s always best to have a portfolio. And with more than 15 sports sections across the world, including the US, you’ll be sure to find something to write about.
The Guardian
Located in the United Kingdom, The Guardian is one of the biggest news organizations in the world. With a team of journalists spanning different continents, they are always on the hunt for talented writers. Though their pay is not much to brag about (the average pay for a The Guardian reporter is about £16,000 per year), the perks are good. Not only do you get to write for one of the most reputable publications in the industry, but you also get to work from home whenever you want. Though it’s not an ideal scenario for everyone, freelance writing for The Guardian is definitely an opportunity to get noticed. If you’re looking for a part-time job or a way to make some extra cash, you could do a lot worse than write for The Guardian.
TikTok
If you’re looking to make money online, you can’t forget about the king of all video platforms, TikTok. Though their main audience is undoubtedly teens and twenty-somethings, anyone can use the platform. And that includes journalists. If you’re looking for a potential job, you can submit regular pieces on current events, interviews, or even just funny or interesting stories. But be aware that many people abuse the system, uploading worthless content just to get a few views. As someone who has used the platform, I can attest that it’s absolutely rife with fake news and misinformation. But for those who are just entering the industry, it can be a great place to start. Just be sure to keep your eyes open for any fraudulent activity and be careful what you post. You’ll also need a VPN to keep your personal data secure while working for a major organization like The Guardian or TikTok.
The New York Times
Despite its storied history, the New York Times is always looking to hire new contributors. Similar to The Guardian and especially Buzzfeed, the NYT sports section is a great place to find a writing job. As one of the most reputable newspapers in the world, the NYT is always on the lookout for experienced journalists to contribute to their impressive sports section. Though their pay is competitive, it’s not great, and it’s certainly not enough to live on. But for those who want to get their foot in the door, the NYT is one of the biggest and most prestigious publications in the world, so the opportunity for growth is definitely there.
The Wall Street Journal
Though the Wall Street Journal has an incredibly reputable reputation, it’s always on the lookout for talented journalists to contribute to their platform. And with a sports section that’s expanding, the opportunity for growth is certainly there. Though the pay is decent, it’s not great, especially for people with little to no experience. But for those who want to get their foot in the door, the Wall Street Journal is definitely a destination to consider.
USA Today Sports
One of the biggest US-based sports media organizations, USA Today Sports is always on the lookout for experienced journalists to contribute to their impressive website. Similar to the other publications mentioned so far, USA Today Sports has established itself as a premier source for sports news and information, so it’s well worth considering if you’re looking for an opportunity in the United States.
ESPN
Though the ESPN website mainly focuses on sports media, the opportunities for growth are endless. With a dedicated section for all things golf, plus a variety of other sports, from American football to stock car racing, there’s truly something for everyone. If you’re just getting started, you may find it difficult to hit the ground running with a full-time job at ESPN. But for those who want to get their feet wet, their website is always a great place to do that. And as one of the biggest sports media organizations in the world, they’re always looking for new contributors, so it’s well worth applying today.
MSN Sports
If you’re a talented writer looking for a job in the United States, Microsoft’s online sports platform, MSN Sports, is a great place to start. Similar to the other publications mentioned so far, MSN Sports is dedicated to covering sports news and information. And not just any sports, but some of the biggest and most popular games, such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB. If you’re looking for a place to get your feet wet, MSN Sports is a great option.
The downside of working for any of these publications is that many of them are mostly focused on sports, so if you’re looking for variety, you may be out of luck. But for those who want to make a career out of writing, the opportunities are countless.