Discover the profession of sports journalist with France Pierron, an emblematic figure in the business...
Sports journalists specialize in media coverage of sport. Whether on television, in the press, on the radio, in online media or in news agencies, sports journalists inform, comment on and report on the sporting events they attend, bringing their expert eye to bear.
In television and radio, they can be called upon to carry out a variety of tasks. Depending on their specialty and the needs of production teams, they can be columnists, hosts, commentators or field reporters.
Endowed with an excellent sporting culture, he can remain a generalist or specialize in a specific sporting discipline. They need to know almost everything about players, coaches, rules, etc., as they are addressing a public of enthusiasts, who expect them to be precise in their comments and analyses. Learn more about this job with our interview of France Pierron.
Our interview with France Pierron, journalist and sports commentator at L'Équipe :
Hello France Pierron, please tell us a little about yourself:
I'm France Pierron, a sports journalist with the L'Équipe TV channel for 15 years. I do a lot of reporting, fieldwork, on set, interviews and program preparation (on all fronts and all sports).
Why did you choose sports journalism?
I didn't really choose this profession! I've always been very sporty: I studied STAPS with the ambition of becoming a top-level tennis player. Then, following the example of top-level sport, I decided to continue my studies at a sports business school to broaden my horizons. I did my end-of-studies internship at Toulouse Football Club (TFC), where I was in charge of media, the website and on-field activities.
It was then that I took my first steps into the world of journalism. I went on to Paris, where I discovered the real job of a sports journalist (being neutral and critical, which I wasn't before). So I didn't really want to do this job, it just kind of fell into my lap... and I love it!
Can you describe a typical day at l'Équipe?
There isn't one...! As a journalist working on several types of program, I never do the same thing, although there are rituals on some of them. If we take the example of the "L'Équipe du soir" program, the sequence is often the same: Starting at 3pm, we begin preparation with a pre-reading of the program, where we look for questions, debates and discussion angles.
This is followed by an editorial conference where we get together with the entire production team, including the presenter and all staff members involved in the show. We prepare the show right up to make-up (1 hour before airtime). Then we go on air for 2 to 3 hours and finish our day with a debrief of the show.
What's your favorite part of being a sports journalist?
That it's never the same! I think that if I'd been doing the same show every day for 15 years, I'd have a really hard time, even if sport is always changing. The fact that I'm on several shows and do several types of journalism (animation, columns, field reports or live commentary) means I can vary my assignments, do different jobs and cover a wide range of sports, which is very enriching. I also enjoy the opportunity to travel and meet inspiring people.
What's the best memory of your career?
Without doubt, the Golden Ball. We get it every year, but it's still my fondest memory, because we get to meet and interview all the soccer stars we discuss and debate throughout the year. We're the rights holders, so they're obliged to come to our microphones. The fact that I speak several languages sets me apart from my colleagues. I get to talk to the biggest international soccer stars at this ceremony!
How did you working for L'Équipe?
Simply by sending in my CV... I'd been at Toulouse Football Club for 3 years when I sent in two CVs, one of which went to L'Équipe, who put me through a casting. I did a pilot show which went very well. A few days later, they called me back and integrated me into the team!
For you, is sport just a job or also a passion?
For me, it's a passion, a conversation with friends, moments of sharing... Sport remains above all a passion for me, which gives me the impression that I'm not really working when I'm doing my job.
By the way, do you practice any sports yourself?
I do a lot! I do yoga, running, crossfit, and I try out all the new gyms opening in Paris. I also love discovering new sports: this morning I did speed golf. This discipline consists of playing golf by running between the holes. I don't think there's a sport I haven't tried!
What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the sports business?
The first thing I'd tell them is not to neglect their end-of-studies internship. For me, it's what got me into this profession. It's very important: you often find it by accident, by default or out of spite, but you have to be very careful with your end-of-studies internship, because it can open a lot of doors for you. Then I'd tell them to be curious and say yes to everything. Seize every opportunity that comes your way and then think about where it might lead you!
This article was published on the ISG Sport business Management website: see full article
Comentários