Sports Content Researcher

Position Summary:

You have a head for stats, an eye for a great story, and the range as a writer to be creative and succinct -- and your passion for sports is the beating heart that fuels it all.  This is the type of person who thrives as a Sports Content Researcher at ESPN. 

Our mission is simple to define but incredibly complex to deliver:  Provide ESPN’s television, audio, digital and social platforms with statistics, context and historical perspectives that make our sports coverage as interesting to the sports fanatic as it is understandable to the casual observer.  It’s no easy feat, but we do it 24/7, and we think we do it better than anyone else. If this sounds like you and you’re up for the challenge, please apply today!

Ok, it’s true: You’re in the office on Super Bowl Sunday. And for the NFL Draft. And the NFL schedule release. But the office is ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT, and you’re surrounded by people who share your passion. You’re a member of a tight squad of like-minded professionals who feed an endless flow of differentiating content that lands across ESPN platforms. Sports Content Researchers tap their existing reservoirs of knowledge and use ESPN’s vast resources – including access to world-class advanced metrics -- to hone in on the why and how of the sporting events that are most important to ESPN and sports fans. The NFL, college football and the NBA are year-round staples, with significant coverage for the NHL, WNBA and college basketball. Any sport could deliver the story of the day, week or month.

Responsibilities:

Many people say this, but in Research, it really is true: Sports news is constantly, so no two days are the same.  On any given day or night, you might:

• Create original full-screen graphics and anchor lead-ins for live shows such as Sports Center,  using research you’ve done and copy you’ve written;
• Post the most relevant news on the BottomLine – from Breaking News alerts to in-depth coverage and putting complex news stories into context;
• Put your deep knowledge to work to create game previews for shows such as NFL Live that are informative, factually accurate and unique enough that even die-hard sports fans really learn something;
• Collaborate with colleagues for every element of a studio show, from unearthing little-known facts to quickly bringing up relevant stats when things such as trades, coaching changes or injuries are announced;
• Provide real-time updates for anchors and announcers while they are on the air;
• Flex your storytelling muscles by developing interesting segments, and help your colleagues flesh out their own ideas;
• ESPN is known for its cutting-edge graphics, and you will be one of the people that develops visually appealing, factually revealing visuals for our TV and digital feeds;
• Drop everything when news breaks and use your deep knowledge of advanced metrics, analytics and research tools to create supporting content, often with a deadline of minutes or seconds!

Working in Research also means you:

• Work a schedule that will vary by month and/or season  --  you’ll get to dive deeply into sports and have enough variety to keep your days and week fresh;
• Experience professional growth and development – in addition to on-boarding and training and coaching that is a constant, you’ll meet with your supervisor formally twice a month and receive quarterly performance updates.

Qualifications:

• 1 year of related experience in sports, statistics, research or a related field
• Full availability for this position to work days, nights, weekends and holidays
• Broad knowledge of most sports and deep knowledge of several, including awareness of current/historical sports statistics, milestones, news, and events
• Elite writing and grammar skills.  Must have aptitude to research, write air-ready scripts for BottomLine as well as Event and Studio productions
• Must be able to communicate information accurately
• Must be able to adhere to strict deadlines and react to breaking news
• Must be able to follow all Disney, ESPN and department policies and directives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with statistics in an online, television or print media environment;
• Fluency in reading, speaking and writing Spanish;
• Demonstrated track record of training others and/or managing team-based projects

Required Education:

High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred Education:

College degree or equivalent

Additional Information: (i.e. physical requirements, holiday, nights, weekend shifts, etc.)

Research at ESPN is 24/7, and the role is On Site (all shifts are worked in person on campus). Position shift times include early mornings and late nights – and everything in between – as well as shifts on weekends and holidays. This is a constant throughout one’s career in ESPN Content.