Staff Writer, College Sports

Sports Illustrated is seeking a Staff Writer to cover college football and basketball across platforms (print, digital, video, social). The ideal candidate will be responsible for coordinating with editors on emerging news stories, producing informative, differentiated content for an SI audience that expects premium storytelling and authoritative reporting. Applicants should be able to write quickly and cleanly, producing compelling content with breadth and depth. Digital media workflows require constant conversations between reporters and editors, and between reporters and their audience as a story evolves, so the ability to work collaboratively in a data-driven, team environment is essential. Candidates also must be willing to work flexible hours based on seasonality.

The position (Tier 4, Writer 3) is part of the collective bargaining unit represented by the New York NewsGuild. The anticipated annual salary for this position is $95,950.

Please note: due to the volume of applications we receive, only applicants selected for consideration will be contacted.

What You’ll Do

Report and write quick-twitch pieces on trending topics that fans care about.
Follow breaking news with insightful analysis that explains a story’s significance and its ramifications.
Develop enterprise and trend stories that advance the news and set the agenda.
Be our go-to source for quick-turn assignments and smart reactions.
Be an idea machine, constantly on the lookout for buzzy stories and the most audience-friendly angle to take on them.
Craft compelling rankings, lists and debate topics.
Strategic planning for tentpole events.

What You’ll Bring

A minimum of 6 years of sports journalism experience, ideally covering college football and/or basketball for a major media organization.
Deep knowledge of the NCAA and its inner workings.
Strong news judgment and awareness of emerging trends.
Functional and wide-ranging source network within college football and basketball.
Be a master of social media, both as a news-gathering tool and as a way to build your own brand.
Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of how to use analytics to help determine which stories resonate with which audiences.
A demonstrated ability to learn new skills and technologies, including content management systems, social media platforms and analytics tools.
Excellent organizational, reporting, communication and time-management skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
Unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
Flexibility to work nights, weekends and holidays.
Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, communications or English preferred

Snapshot of Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Retirement Savings Plan (401K) with a percentage match
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA)
Commuter Benefits
Reimbursement for business cell phone use per company policy
Employee Stock Option Plan (Publicly Traded Company - AREN)
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
12 Paid Holidays, including Juneteenth and New Year’s Eve