Getting the Coolest Job in Sports w/Seattle Kraken’s Everett Fitzhugh

Sports broadcasting is one of the most popular (and competitive) aspirations for people looking to work in the sports industry. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, broadcasting/journalism degrees were the seventh- most common degrees awarded in 2018–19, with the career path expected to grow 6% this decade.How to Become a Sports Broadcaster

While the expansion of sports betting media and teams creating more content themselves means more opportunities to thrive in the field, traditional play-by-play gigs at live events remain highly coveted and just as difficult to obtain at the highest level of professional sports. Generally, becoming a successful sports broadcaster involves calling games for high school or college sports part-time while working a full-time job elsewhere to pay the bills as you refine your craft and work your way up.

Today’s guest on the WorkInSports Podcast, Everett Fitzhugh, climbed that mountain and is currently excelling as a radio play-by-play announcer for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. Fitzhugh began honing his on-air chops as a student at Bowling Green State University, where he regularly called the Falcons’ hockey games on the radio. However, his road to an NHL broadcasting booth took a detour when he stepped away from calling games and spent two seasons as the USHL’s Manager of Communications.

In 2014, Fitzhugh combined the two jobs with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he served as the club’s Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting. A year later, he broke into professional hockey in a similar role with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, where he spent five years broadcasting games and executing the team’s PR strategy. Next, he joined the Kraken before their inaugural 2021–22 season, becoming the first Black full-time team play-by-play announcer in NHL history. He joins VP of Content and Engaged Learning Brian Clapp to discuss:

• Where his enthusiasm for broadcasting the sport of hockey came from • How stepping into media relations helped him on his path to the NHL • Creating space in the NHL for minorities to thrive • What advice he has for aspiring sports broadcasters looking to create their break

Enjoy the full episode to catch Everett Fitzhugh’s sports broadcasting journey. Also, subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast for more sports career advice. Additional content is available on our YouTube channel.