Those of us unlucky enough not to forge a career as a sportsperson will often seek an alternative route when it comes to entering the sporting industry. Sadly, the road leading to a career in sports journalism however is becoming blocked by the very stars who ply their trade in the sporting arena.
In this day and age, it has become frustratingly apparent that professional sportsmen, both retired and active, receive an easy passage to the media industry, while so many students must walk the hard road and go to university to obtain the qualifications necessary to perhaps kickstart a career in sports journalism.
The amount of former athletes either presenting or co-hosting a program, writing a column in the newspaper, or providing commentary on both radio and television, just makes it that much harder for many aspiring sports journalists to enter an industry that is already ultra competitive.
While there are some former players and coaches that have forged successful and respected careers in sports media, (SMH writer Roy Masters and the late Johnny Warren come to mind) they do not outnumber the novice writing, reporting and commentary from the majority of sports personalities currently working in the sports journalism industry.
In rugby league, high-profile NRL players such as Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall, Lote Tuqiri and Mark Gasnier have provided uninsightful features and opinion pieces for major newspaper outlets like The Daily Telegraph, The Sun Herald and the Sunday Telegraph.
The majority of the opinion pieces these present day superstars of the game conjure up usually involves the typical reaction from a player in a post match press conference after a win or a loss.
I recall one article written by Benji Marshall in The Sun Herald explaining how disappointed he was at losing the first qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters last season. Honestly, is there any need for Marshall, or The Sun Herald for that matter, to publish the article when most NRL followers already have a clear idea as to how disappointed the player would be after such a defeat?
Sadly, the opinion pieces offered up by many of today’s NRL stars pale in comparison to the useless commentary offered by Channel Nine sideline commentators Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler.
Fittler in particular has made an uncanny habit of reminding the television audience how lucky he is to be getting paid good money in exchange for offering next to little or no insightful commentary about the game he is covering.
While Johns isn’t as annoying to listen to, his commentary is also not up to standard in comparision to fellow NRL commentators such as Peter Sterling, Tim Gilbert, Andrew Voss and to an extent, Phil Gould.
Of course, Channel Nine are not the only media outlet responsible for hiring sports personalities to take on a role they are not qualified for.
One HD’s football program ‘World Football News’ has both Zeljko Kalac and David Zdrilic (both retired Socceroos), providing their personal views on the world game, which to be honest, is hardly riveting television.
When asked to offer an opinion on why Australia failed in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup during the broadcast on Channel Ten, both Zdrilic and Kalac proclaimed that nothing was wrong with Australia’s bid presentation, even though the presentation itself showcased nothing about the history of the world game down under.
While both Kalac and Zdrilic do not offer any innovative insight into the world game, the fact that there are others out there that are worse commentators is a blight on the sports journalism industry.
How Melbourne Victory skipper Kevin Muscat found himself commentating next to David Basheer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is beyond me. During the Australia – Germany match, one could hear Muscat carrying on like a baby every time Germany scored. The amount of groans that came from his mouth far outweighed anything he offered in terms of commentary.
Even respected SBS chief football analyst Craig Foster can go overboard with his constant comments in regards to the Socceroos’ need to play like FC Barcelona, when it is painfully apparent that Australia possesses nowhere near the class of players necessary to perform at such a high level.
Indeed there are many other sports personalities out there who have forged a career in the media industry despite having no prior experience. Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill looked increasingly uncomfortable hosting the 2009 Ashes on SBS, in comparison to noted sports presenter Simon Hill, who hosted the 2005 Ashes series very well.
It is a great shame that many major media outlets have felt the need to hire active and retired sportspeople who are clearly bereft of any qualifications and knowledge when it comes to commentating on television or writing an opinion piece for a newspaper.
What is even more disappointing surrounds the fact that many aspiring sports journalists who actually have the qualifications and experience necessary to forge a career in journalism are being left behind in favour of the many amateurish sports personalities who dominate the sporting media today.
One can only hope Australia’s major sports tabloids and media broadcasters wake up to themselves and realise that the best commentary and insight to a game of rugby league, football, or any sport for that matter, comes from those who have taken the time to study, observe and experience the sports journalism industry inside-out, not those that have prospered inside the sporting arena.
John Hunt
Guest
I must admit i was impressed with Tom Harley's debut this year. Very insightful and made a point without being a loudmouth. But Howard Cosell called it a "Jockocracy" and thats what it is. People like Craig Foster, Robbie Slater, Liam Pickering and Brad Fitler get on just for playing and not for their insights. Mind you i'm more postive i think there is more good than bad.
Alan
Guest
Fuss I am a massive football fan. I was born in Argentina and follow La Seleccion to the death (I was close to it after 4-0 loss to Germany) There is nothing wrong with losing some objectivity, but I think guys such as Foster can go way overboard at times with their deep passion for football. Whilst I will always love Maradona, even I won't hide from the fact that he picked a terrible world cup squad with no Zanetti and Cambiasso. I have never heard Martin Tyler proclaim that England is the be all and end all of world football, and yet here we have Craig Foster proclaiming that Australia's passion on the pitch is absolutely unrivalled in the world game.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Baum is a Walkley winner, you won't find him saying anything that can remotely be categorised as being Fozz-like. slickwilly thanks for the reminder! and that's hardly an isolated example either
peeeko
Roar Guru
i certainly do not attack his credentials to commentate or analyse soccer. it seems that his Sunday column is generally written on matters to "stir the pot" with controversial statements relating to soccer becoming the number one sport in this country. my personal favourite was one earlier this year which detailed that the reason why other countries dive and fake injury and how that is beyond non soccer supporters understanding. Rebecaa Wilson's weekly column is similar in that it is written mainly to "stir the pot" She will get stuck into any sport , mainly rugby league players. At least for Foster he does provide proper analysis and commentarty at times unlike wilson who just a low grade stirrer
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
alan nicolea Even the great football commentator, Martin Tyler, admits he finds it hard to remain objective when he's covering important games involving the English National Football Team. And, to be honest, I reckon you aren't human - or, most certainly, not a true football fan - if you don't lose some objectivity when watching & discussing your National Football Team at a FIFA World Cup! And, to understand passion interfering with objectivity you should have a look at guys like Lineker, Shearer, Stuart Pearce et al discuss the England team. :-) And, let's be clear, I don't always agree with Foster's opinions. In particular, I find Fozz to be a pretty negative at times and I would certainly prefer to have a beer and talk football with guys like Trimmers, Bozza, Kalac, Zelic, Okon et al. I've had a few beers with Les and found him to be a charming fellow with an encyclopaedic knowledge of, and a deep passion for, Football.
alan nicolea
Guest
To Fussball ist unser leben and Australian Football I will not discount the fact that Craig Foster can offer some good opinion pieces and analysis of the game. But I will also not discount the fact that even he has let his passion for the game and socceroos get the better of him. A prime example of this occured after the World Cup game between Ghana and Australia which ended in a draw. Foster later proclaimed in the world cup show that 'no one has a bigger heart than Australia'. That is an absurd comment coming from a chief football analyst. Just because Australia drew 1 all with 10 men against Ghana doesn't necessarily mean the Socceroos are the be all and end all when it comes to pride and spirit. What about the spirit of Ghana? They lost Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien before the tournament began and still had the class and spirit necessary to only end up losing 1-0 to germany, snatch a win against Serbia and draw with the Socceroos and end up making the quarter-finals of the world cup. What about Algeria's spirit, who held England to a nil all draw. What about the All Whites? They drew all their games when many expected them to concede 5 goals a match. Even South Africa's ability to nearly progress by outplaying France is also to be commended.
mattamkII
Guest
I for one cringe when Dermi and Co talk.
punter
Guest
I only really pay attention to his football comments. His comments about other codes may be out of this world, I don't mind that, we have been coping it for years, so a bit going back, Yeah no issue from me. Comments on football from the likes of Sheenan, Hinds & Braum, who has little football cred are also out of this world but that didn't stop them making it. As for Barissi & the squash football, the little said the better.
Redb
Roar Guru
Has he? when? how often? Talking up one code does not equal talking down others. Foster on the other hand does both regularly.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I thought Sheeds had vowed to buy a membership for every RL club in Western Sydney. If he said it, he'll do it.
slickwilly
Guest
does his hysterical plea for former socceroos captains to remove pim verbeek after the rd-1 loss to germany in sth africa rank as the right call????
punter
Guest
He is a AFL celebrity, who has shown his dislike for other (foreign) football codes in Australia.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Some of his opinions are so far-fetched and out of this world, how could you ever know whether he is right or wrong?
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
Hinds has an obvious AFL lean, but is fairly even-handed in the sports he takes the p--s out of.
Redb
Roar Guru
Sheedy is not a journalist.
punter
Guest
We have an article here about sports stars don't make good journalists. So Foster's ability as a player holds little creditability about his cred as a football commentator. Like many AFL sports journalists, some like them some don't. Foster's is very passionate & knowledgeable about the game, he does irrate people but in most cases he is right.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Nah, most happily accept he's a bit of a ratbag.
punter
Guest
Likewise with Sheedy amongst non AFL fans.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I think it's a bit more complicated than that. A small number of soccer fans think he is a legend because they like seeing him shooting off his mouth. The more knowledgeable soccer fans know and understand that he was a fairly average player with an ordinary CV and that with all his posturing, he does very little for the local game.
Redb
Roar Guru
You like Foster reckon he is a legend. That is funny becuase outside his soccer he is viewed as a zealout.