Athletes reach celebrity status these days and are paid millions of dollars to endorse everything from beer to sneakers. But the sports media industry also pays big bucks to those that can convey the excitement of a game or match in words and in video.

Sports broadcasting royaltv01 place on a variety of platforms – including radio, television, the Internet, and of course, newspapers and magazines. But most people get their sports content from TV and radio, whether they’re catching their favorite team on the local station or tuning into ESPN.

From the Booth to Your Screen: How Sports Commentators Do It

In order to do this, they need someone in the broadcast booth to deliver the play-by-play, as well as commentary and analysis from the sidelines. Whether they’re a play-by-play announcer or a studio host, the person behind the microphone needs to be able to capture the energy and excitement of the game and translate it into a live on-air broadcast.

The best universities for sports broadcasting and journalism have graduate programs that prepare students to take on the industry’s top jobs. Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, for example, is renowned for its undergraduate and graduate journalism degrees. Its alumni include the likes of Bob Costas, Harry Kalas, and Al Michaels. Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism has also produced some of the nation’s most revered journalists, as evidenced by its proverbial who’s who list of alumni.

To break into the field, students need to develop an impressive demo tape or reel. This is typically compiled from their on-campus radio and television experience, as well as their internships. It’s an integral part of the application process for most teams and news networks, and often serves as the first impression that a potential employer has of the student.