This interview is part one of our three part interview series with John Strong, voice of the MLS on Fox Sports. To hear Strong in action, listen to his call for Darlington Nagbe’s 2011 MLS goal of the year at the bottom of this page.
The majority of people trying to complete their dream by becoming sports broadcasters are focused on the wrong things.
Things like catchphrases and having the perfect voice are small pieces of a successful journey, the business of sports broadcasting hinges on something much more important.
“Can you tell me a story?” wonders John Strong, lead play-by-play voice for the MLS on Fox Sports.
“Especially when that story is complicated, or is on a subject I don’t know a lot about; especially when I’m distracted while I have the radio or TV on; especially when you’re limited by time…can you tell me a story?
“And when your story is finished, will I have understood it, and will I have learned something? Storytelling is just as relevant in play-by-play as when I was doing sports updates on the radio. Things like having a great voice are sometimes overrated. This business is all about telling stories, so…can you tell me a story?”
How to Become a Sports Broadcaster - advice from an industry expert Click To TweetNo skills develop in isolation; it takes years of practice and a focused determination to become a successful sports broadcaster, never mind being fearless in sticking your neck out there.
Strong’s sports career path embodies that determination, and is a blueprint many should follow.
For more on how to become a sports broadcaster here are the steps John Strong took to become the main voice behind the MLS on Fox Sports.
We always stress that making it in sports broadcasting takes a special type of person, focused and ambitious at an early age. While in high school you started Laker Broadcasting – a student-run broadcasting program – and began producing Lake Oswego High sports events, how did this happen?!
Strong: Well, I knew from a very young age that this is what I wanted to do, that becoming a sports broadcaster was my dream job. As a young kid growing up in Portland in the early 90s I was a diehard Blazers fan, meaning I grew up listening to Bill Schonely call games every night, and I wanted to be him.
It really took root when I was in high school; my junior year I “covered” our HS football team on this ancient webpage you could create via oregonlive.com, and I called in updates to a web radio show from games.
Want to work in sports broadcasting? Learn how to tell a story: Click To TweetSummer before my senior year, a combination of A) really wanting to start doing it for real, and B) the very real chance that I’d be cut (deservedly) from the varsity soccer team made me spring into action.
The OSAA (Oregon State Athletic Association) had done webcasts of the previous year’s football semis and final, so I e-mailed to ask if I could be a part in any way. They pointed me to a new website that had just launched, basically a one-step webcasting service, which was looking for exactly what we were: parents or kids that wanted to do High School football.
I obviously jumped at the chance, how cool was this? I recruited a friend of mine at the school paper to help us get PTA money to pay for it, and in return he’d be the analyst. We had another friend who was very IT-savvy (went to MIT) who helped get us up and running and had to get a bunch of administration types to okay it (none of whom had any clue what we were talking about). Understand this was 2002, when no one was podcasting or doing webcasting other than a few radio stations just putting their signal on the internet; we were one of maybe ten student programs that fall.
It was incredibly rough, incredibly low tech, but it was play-by-play.
The big breakthrough was two months in when we figured out how to record the games, so I could listen back and critique myself (I had an awful catchphrase that I killed the moment I heard it back).
We did football and basketball, and the net effect was that I went off to college with a lot of experience, at least enough to start figuring out what sounded good and what didn’t.
After high school you went on to University of Oregon – how did you continue refining your broadcasting skills while in college?
Strong: If you are wondering how to become a sports broadcaster, It’s all about reps reps reps.
The 10,000 hour rule is a good point, especially when you’re talking about something that’s hard to teach in a classroom. I took on everything I could possibly find: reporting, anchoring, and hosting on the campus radio sports and news programs, play-by-play for lacrosse, softball, soccer, hockey, football, basketball (both at Oregon and HS state playoffs).

Going to a “smaller” school like the University of Oregon allowed John Strong to get real experience while in college
I was news anchor for a weekly variety show put on by J-School students (in lieu of a full-fledged campus TV station). I got as many internships as I could get my hand on: radio and TV stations, sports teams in Portland over the summer, even one where I was working for a group called the Oregon Sports Authority because I wanted to try something different for the heck of it.
And that’s one of the keys as well, I think, is breadth: odds are your first employer (or first few) will demand you do a lot of different things, whether it be both news and sports (and traffic, like I did), running the board, engineering remotes, doing production work, etc. The big thing now is video content for websites. I never wanted to be in a position where I didn’t have at least a little bit of experience in something, lest that be where my opportunity came and I wasn’t prepared.
That’s also one of the big things kids should look for when picking a college:
- Do they have a campus radio or TV station?
- Is it possible to actually get on the air before your senior year there?
- What about local radio and TV stations, are they open to internships or putting college kids on the air in some capacity?
Sometimes that’s the benefit of a “smaller” school like Oregon (as compared to, say, Syracuse): there were far fewer kids looking to do what I was looking to do, meaning I pretty much walked in the door and onto the air.
Key Takeaways from “How to Become a Sports Broadcaster”
- Get started early, the more repetition you get early on the more confident you will be when it really matters. If you start learning what works and what doesn’t in high school, you’ll be better prepared to start making your mark in college
- Do everything, don’t become too focused on one niche. Anchor, report, play-by-play….learn to edit, set up lighting…call lacrosse and volleyball games not just football and basketball. You’ll find your niche eventually, but to start just stay broad and learn it all.
- Always record and listen back to your work as a sports broadcaster – be critical and find other people who will listen and be critical too. You only get better by refining.
- School matters when you want to become a sports broadcaster, think about were you can get the most opportunity. Schools like Syracuse are wonderful programs, but will you be able to get on air and get real rep there? Sometimes a smaller school will give you more opportunities to practice your craft.
Stay tuned for part two in our three part interview series with John Strong, voice of the MLS on NBC. In part two we’ll venture into getting from graduation to a real job as a sports broadcaster. And if you have any questions for John – ask them below in the comments.
Does age become a factor when trying to do play-by-play or any kind of sports broadcasting? Is it too late for somebody like me, who’s 31, to break into such a highly competitive industry?
Justin – Talent always wins. If you are good, you can show it and you can market yourself, you can make it. Just be prepared to start somewhere small and build yourself up. There are more avenues than ever tfor working in play by play….go for it! (p.s. 31 isn’t old) – Brian
I want to become a sports commentator later in life what advice are you giving to me?
Read some of our other blog posts:
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/a-week-in-the-life-of-a-sideline-reporter-for-the-nfl-on-fox/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-jobs-in-focus-tips-for-being-a-sports-reporter/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/becoming-a-sports-reporter-laura-okmins-path-to-the-nfl-on-fox/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/how-to-be-a-sports-reporter-that-news-directors-want-to-hire/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/five-goals-to-help-you-land-your-sports-broadcasting-dream-job/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-jobs-qa-the-best-way-to-start-an-on-camera-career/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/working-in-sports-journalism-as-a-woman/
https://www.workinsports.com/blog/how-to-become-a-sports-broadcaster/
i want to be a sports journalist later in life at age mid 40 what advice you give me?
Do you want to be on camera, on radio, working as a writer? Break it down for me. – Brian
CAN i BECOME A SPRTSCASTER LATER IN LIFE?
is it possible that I can interview you online for a college English class?
Broadcasting is a challenging and competitive field, but at the same time, it can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Here is a testimonial from Theodore R. Williams – a student from CSB sharing how the school helped him start his sports broadcasting career. http://www.gocsb.com/index.php/reviews-detail/9
Thanks for sharing Jim – after spending 12+ years working at CNN Sports and Fox Sports, I can agree broadcasting is a rewarding and fulfilling career. – Brian
Good Evening , I am a female trying to get into the broadcasting team in sports i am 24 years old and currently enrolled at city college majoring in radio tv and journalism . What steps or advice do you think i need to start considering ?
Thank you
Check out galvanize.life — my friend and Fox Sports NFL sideline reporter Laura Okmin teaches bootcamps for women who want to work in sports broadcasting. She’s the best. – Brian
I really enjoyed this article. I’ve been running an online VOD for a competitive card game for about a 3 years now (Hex the Shards of Fate). I have an interview this week for an e-sports position and am a little nervous about it because I specialize in card games and am afraid of my knowledge gaps in other areas. I know that I’ll work hard if I get the position but it was interesting to read about your thoughts on doing everything. Here’s hoping that it works out.
Charles
Twitter – @Errantsquire
I’m 28 years old I live in Arkansas I want to work for wwe Wrestling , I want to do Backstage interviews I don’t have any previous experience how do I break into that type of industry ?
It’s been a couple months since this article was posted, but it’s an incredibly beneficial read. I’m a 24 year old female and have worked for two professional football teams, both as broadcast production interns. Everything I have done has all been behind the camera and in post production, but I know I have the skill set, experience, talent, personality and voice to be in front. How does one make the transition? The current team I’m with has asked me if I have experience, and I do, but very little to show for it. A lot of my experience comes from hosting and being an emcee. Any advice? Is it time to start filming myself from home and offer a reel? Thanks in advance!
I’ve been practicing law for 20 years, but have always dreamed of doing baseball play by play. Graduated with a degree in electronic communications/theatre, but like so many, I sold out. I am now ready to follow my dream. What advice do you offer?
You’re going to have to start small and build up a portfolio — check out local high schools, small colleges etc. Consider web streaming as a way to build your profile – many larger high schools have great technology and rabid fan bases — there is an appetite for more content. It’ll take some time to build your rep in the business, but if it is your dream, it’s worth the effort. – Brian
Hey Brian I have a question I’m a 16 year old guy lots of people tell me I have a very good voice a plenty of talent I want to commentate some of my high school games but I’m not sure who to ask and how to approach them with the idea of me doing it I’m not sure they will take me seriously can you help ?
Start with the athletic director — but come with a complete plan. Map out how you would do it from a technological standpoint, where will you distribute the content etc. Have a complete well thought out plan you can present to the AD and focus on how it will benefit the school. Remember when you are pitching your idea to someone, it isn’t about “this will be great for me to build my resume” that isn’t going to motivate them to act on your idea … focus on “here’s what I can do to help the school” that’s what’ll make people listen and act.
Thanks that helps me get a better understanding of what I need to do I pitched it to my high school AD he wasn’t sure so I stepped it up to the local college and they said they would be willing to find a position for me there
Hi there,
I am 25 year old and very interested in sports broadcasting, specifically hockey or racing. I do not have a degree and have no experience in the field. Is a degree a must to pursue employment in this field? If not, what would you suggest as alternative routes? Thanks!
Josh
Can I interview you for my college composition class and the interview can be online, it can be through email
I know you can do interviews with athletes. You can ask them how did they think about a certain play or certain call on the field/court. As a sports broadcaster, can you interview fans to see what is on their mind from a sporting event?
I’d say put yourself in the shoes of your audience — are you giving them content they want to hear? is it interesting? Does it push the story forward? If you can say yes, then go for it! – Brian