Sports Booth

Join Matt McConnell as he answers popular questions submitted by listeners to the Sports Booth mailbox. If you have any questions regarding sports play-by-play or the podcast, email them to [email protected].

(Music by Kevin McLeod)

From your first day in college to graduation, this episode of Sports Booth lays out a game plan on how to become as employable as possible. Learn why a solid academic foundation is critical to your success, why winning over employers is more than just play-by-play, how job descriptions can provide a road map for success. We also discuss internships, building relationships with influencers, learning to develop rapport with people of influence and task management. Whether you're just starting your college career or you're a junior or senior (or even a young broadcaster just out of college) , this episode is loaded with advice and information that's sure to help you along your journey.

(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Now's your chance to learn from the biggest names in sports television production history. Shannon is the former Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada. Not only has John worked for the CBC, he's also worked at Rogers Sportsnet, produced PGA golf and soccer and been part of the senior broadcasting management group at the National Hockey League. He's been an Olympic sports producer and has worked with some of the biggest play-by-play names in the business. He's even worked on the talent side of the business. 

Learn what he likes to hear from play-by-play broadcasters when he's watching games. Get his thoughts on the attributes that make for a successful sports broadcaster. Learn his four key words to success, and why being able to evolve in the business is critical to your success.

(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Never heard of a "Me" file? This episode explains the importance of keeping track of all of your achievements, whether they are broadcast related or not. Learn why having a "Me" file is critical in maintaining an accurate account of your accomplishments, awards and recognitions by peers and superiors, and how they all play a role during the job interviewing process. Learn how work experiences that are not related to play-by-play can ultimately help land you a play-by-play gig. Setting up and maintaining a "Me" file is a CRITICAL step in the job application process.

(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Now's your chance to hear from one of the most experienced general managers in minor pro baseball. Allen has been managing and hiring candidates for the Salem Red Sox organization for more than 20 years. Included in those hires have been Chicago White Sox TV Play-By-Play Broadcaster Jason Benetti and Baltimore Orioles voice Melanie Newman (featured in Episode #22).  

Learn what skills and attributes are important to an organization and the skills they identify as "must haves" during the application process, the importance of following up, the "it" factor, the importance of being effective in a team environment, and what you should be doing right now to better your odds for landing the gig. Lawrence lays it all out for you. Now's your chance to take advantage. 

(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

There's a good chance your first job as a sports broadcaster out of college will be working for a minor pro sports team. Now's your chance to hear  Shawn Murnin's story and how he's established his career as a professional baseball broadcaster. Learn about the importance of having experience away from the broadcast booth, including public relations, social media and sales, and why networking is critical. Get valuable insight into Shawn's daily responsibilities with the team when he's not sitting in the booth calling doubles and home runs, and learn what you can do in college RIGHT NOW to make yourself more marketable to teams and organizations upon graduation. 

(Music by Kevin McLeod)

Now's your chance to hear and get advice from one of the best sports play-by-play broadcasters in the business. Learn how a college math major became one of the most well-known voices in Major League Baseball. Find out what Dan believes are the keys to having success in the business. Get his thoughts on preparation, what broadcasters can do for themselves after every PXP gig that will make them better, and why it's critical to have a good work ethic.

Dan remains ESPN's #1 voice of college basketball and a voice of the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2011, he was named Broadcaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. In 2020, he received the Jack Graney Award from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his work in baseball. In 2021, he was a finalist for the Ford Frick Award, presented annually to a baseball broadcaster for major contributions to the game. He is also the former long time voice of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. 

(Music by Kevin McLeod)

Jody has been a sports broadcasting fixture in Arizona for more than 20 years, working as a pre-game and post-game host and reporter for the NHL's Arizona Coyotes and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks. She also hosts the Arizona Cardinals post-game show for FOX Sports Arizona.

The Florida native began her career as an undergraduate student at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, then worked at WQAM Radio in South Florida before moving onto television assignments in Buffalo and later in Phoenix.

Hear her great advice for women looking to break into the business and for everyone looking to get better. Learn why hard work and trust in yourself are critical to your success and why understanding your value within an organization is important as well. 

(Music by Kevin McLeod)

Rejection is never easy, yet it's part of life when chasing down sports broadcasting gigs. But it's how you handle rejection that can set you up for success when pursuing other opportunities. Find out how to bounce back from rejection and get employers to say "yes" instead of "no" in this fast paced episode.