Sixers Beat Writer, Sports

Inquirer•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Philadelphia Inquirer is seeking an experienced basketball writer to cover the Philadelphia 76ers, one of five major professional sports teams in a city and region known for its passionate fan base. The Sixers beat writer will report to a team/assignment editor and work with teammates, including other beat writers and nationally recognized columnists. You will serve as the Inquirer’s eyes and ears at Xfinity Mobile Arena and the team facility in Camden, NJ, on players, coaches and key front office officials at practices and games, at home and on the road. You will be vigilant and reactive to all Sixers breaking news, and be available to write news stories as they happen, including in real time in the Inquirer’s live blog. You will monitor Sixers topics trending on social media, as well as NBA and sports-adjacent story ideas that touch on business, fashion, culture, lifestyle and personality. You will be an active participant in developing coverage strategy with the rest of the editorial team, including creating content (video, audio or written) on social media and various off-platform entities such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc. You will serve as a front-facing sports personality, with the ability to discuss topics pertinent to the team on multiple Inquirer platforms, including video projects and podcasts. You will be expected to build a local following, an audience who will engage with your content in any format – written, audio, video and social – to help promote Inquirer content across those landscapes. The Sixers beat writer is expected to continue the Inquirer’s long tradition of news breaking and in-depth storytelling while bringing a fresh and digital-first approach to the beat. You will contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment.

Requirements

Experienced basketball writer
Journalism experience
Established network of sources and contacts across sports but especially the NBA
Ability to quickly build rapport and trust with new sources
Effective gauge of Philadelphia’s sports culture – especially the Sixers’ rabid fan base
Collaborate thoughtfully with editors and fellow writers to craft well-reported and researched stories
At least 5 years of beat experience, covering high-level college or professional sports, including the NBA
Deep knowledge of sports’ increasing influence on society and culture
High motor
Confident public speaker

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Philadelphia
Working knowledge of Philadelphia's college and high school basketball excellence

Responsibilities

Serve as the Inquirer’s eyes and ears at Xfinity Mobile Arena and the team facility in Camden, NJ, on players, coaches and key front office officials at practices and games, at home and on the road.
Be vigilant and reactive to all Sixers breaking news, and be available to write news stories as they happen, including in real time in the Inquirer’s live blog.
Monitor Sixers topics trending on social media, as well as NBA and sports-adjacent story ideas that touch on business, fashion, culture, lifestyle and personality.
Be an active participant in developing coverage strategy with the rest of the editorial team, including creating content (video, audio or written) on social media and various off-platform entities such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
Serve as a front-facing sports personality, with the ability to discuss topics pertinent to the team on multiple Inquirer platforms, including video projects and podcasts.
Build a local following, an audience who will engage with your content in any format – written, audio, video and social – to help promote Inquirer content across those landscapes.
Continue the Inquirer’s long tradition of news breaking and in-depth storytelling while bringing a fresh and digital-first approach to the beat.
Contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment.
Deliver insightful stories in the offseason, especially during the slowest news weeks, with reporting and analysis that demonstrates The Inquirer’s expertise on the beat.
Bring an endless list of ideas to their beat, during the season and offseason.
Work closely not only with your sport editor but with editors on other sports that fall within your knowledge wheelhouse.
Always be thinking about what’s next for players, the team, the league, and what readers are looking forward to.
Own all aspects of covering the team, on and off the field, with your beat partner.
Break news, or react quickly to news and casual fan content.
Convene diverse audiences and lead discussions in creative and productive ways on camera.
Be an active participant on social media, helping produce written stories into social posts that stand on their own.