Welcome to the world of sports writing, where success lies in the trust established between journalists, athletes, coaches, and other personnel who make magic, both on the field and off it. Acclaimed sports journalists Nicole Kraft and Jean-Jacques Taylor deliver a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of capturing and communicating sporting events. Beyond statistics and scores that dominate headlines, sports journalism is about sharing the stories of the teams, players, coaches, administrators, executives, topics, controversies, and individual events. Learning the artistry of sports writing, you will learn to showcase the narratives, emotions, and human stories that shape the games. The authors teach essential skills, including: - Asking the right questions and listening carefully to the answers - Building relationships with players, coaches, and staff - Excelling at storytelling that engages readers - Reaching audiences through social media - Leveraging the power of AI in ethical ways Discussion questions and actual assignments will help you build relationships and hone your journalism skills from day one, empowering you to uncover stories that excite and engage readers on a profound level. “The game on the field might look the same, but everything else has changed. The sports landscape is constantly evolving-from 24/7 news cycles to fan platforms and podcasts. Authors Nicole Kraft and Jean-Jacques Taylor offer real-life anecdotes and expert voices to guide students through a dizzying array of exciting new careers.” ―Jim Schaffer, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, Nebraska Wesleyan University, USA and co-author of Sports Journalism , 3rd Edition “ Storytelling beyond the Scoreboard should be read by anyone looking to enter the field of sports journalism. Everything one would need to know to be successful as a sportswriter is in this book, and the authors explain it all in clear, easy-to-understand language.” ―Kevin Hull, Sports Media Sequence Head and Associate Professor, University of South Carolina, USA Nicole Kraft is associate professor of practice in public affairs journalism at Ohio State University, USA. She is also director of Ohio State's Sports & Society Initiative. Nicole has authored/edited three books: Always Get the Name of the Dog: A Guide to Media Interviewing , Writing Fabulous Features and Teaching Media Ethics , which she edited with Kathleen Culver. She is an award-winning sports writer who covers the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Associated Press, horseracing for the Columbus Dispatch and sports media topics for Forbes.com. Jean-Jacques Taylor is adjunct lecturer of journalism at Southern Methodist University, USA. He is president of JJT Media Group, the co-host of the JacquesTalk Podcast, and a regular radio contributor on ESPN Radio 103.3 FM. Jean-Jacques has covered the Dallas Cowboys as a print and TV reporter and a radio personality in Dallas-Fort Worth since 1995. He has covered 23 Super Bowls, eight pro football Hall of Fame inductions, two World Series, two NBA Finals, a Stanley Cup Finals and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. He's the author of three books: Coach Prime: Deion Sanders and the Making of Men , a book about Jackson State's historic 2022 football season released in October; Game of My Life Dallas Cowboys: Memorable Stories of Cowboys Football and Dak, Zeke and a New Cowboys' Era in Big D .