Sports news is a genre of journalism that covers a variety of topics related to sporting events. In addition to game reports and analysis, a sports journalist may also be tasked with profiling an athlete or unveiling important developments in the world of a sport such as reports of sexual abuse. Regardless of the subject matter, one of the primary goals of any writer is to convey the passion that readers feel while watching a game.
The manner in which sports news is reported has changed significantly over time as technology and reader preferences have evolved. For instance, early sports journalists would report on games after the fact, sending their work in by telegraph and then later reporting on highlights via radio broadcasts. This method of coverage remained in effect until the advent of television, when it became impractical to televise every live game.
As TV and the internet revolutionized viewing habits, the traditional newspaper began to lose ground in popularity as a source for sports news. Today, the most popular way for fans to get their sports news is through online video platforms such as YouTube.
The advent of social media has also been a driving force in the evolution of sports journalism. Throughout the 2010s, a major trend was a proliferation of fan-driven websites and “fanzines” (cheaply printed magazines) that bypassed mainstream publications and offered more in-depth analysis of specific teams or issues.