Senior Writer, Sports
This role is responsible for strategically planning coverage of major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NBA/NHL Playoffs, PGA tournaments, World Series, and the Olympics, with a unique pop culture perspective. The individual pitches, reports, and writes multiple daily stories focused on sports celebrities, trending moments, and human interest angles, consistently prioritizing speed, creativity, and relevance. They excel at identifying and elevating stories that transcend traditional sports coverage, including those involving celebrity relationships, lifestyle crossovers, and viral moments. The candidate skillfully monitors Google Trends, social platforms, and live events to surface newsworthy content, aggregates breaking news and interviews, and crafts engaging follow-up pieces with exclusive insights. They also produce photo-driven galleries, exclusive features, interviews, recaps, previews, and analysis, while leveraging insider sourcing to deliver compelling content. Collaboration with editorial, SEO, and social teams, as well as ongoing performance tracking, ensures optimized content reach and sustained brand visibility.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Plan coverage around major sporting events (Super Bowl, NFL Sundays, NBA/NHL Playoffs, PGA tournaments, World Series, Olympics, etc.) through a pop culture lens.
- Pitch, report, and write multiple daily stories tied to sports celebrities, trending moments, human interest angles, and social buzz — with a focus on speed, creativity, and relevance.
- Identify and elevate stories that transcend sports — including celebrity relationships, lifestyle crossovers, off-field drama, viral moments, and compelling narratives.
- Monitor Google Trends, social platforms, and live events to surface buzzy angles, story ideas, and traffic-driving content.
- Aggregate breaking news, social posts, and interviews, and craft smart follow-ups that deepen engagement and provide exclusive angles.
- Create photo-driven galleries and features tied to trending sports personalities and events.
- Produce exclusive news, features, and interviews leveraging Us Weekly’s access and insider sourcing.
- Write recaps, previews, guides, analysis pieces, roundups, and lists designed to drive traffic, social chatter, and brand visibility.
- Track performance metrics to refine story angles, timing, packaging, and headlines.
- Collaborate with editorial, SEO, and social teams to maximize reach and impact of content.
- Ensure all content aligns with Us Weekly’s editorial voice, tone, and standards.
- Cultivate a beat and topical authority within the sports celebrity space.
- Build and maintain relationships with publicists and reps to secure access for exclusive interviews and features.
- McClatchy Media’s journalists are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to ethically harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on source-building and high-quality, deeply reported journalism.
Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Ability to shoot video and photos.
- Deep knowledge of and passion for sports and pop culture, with an instinct for what stories will resonate beyond the field or court.
- Proven ability to write clean, engaging, fast-turnaround copy.
- Strong news judgment and ability to spot viral angles and timely stories.
- Comfort working in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
- Familiarity with SEO, social media platforms, CMS tools, and performance tracking tools (like Google Analytics, Chartbeat).
- A roster of editorial contacts and sourcing skills is a plus.
- Track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technology, especially AI.
- Ability to prioritize and to work under and meet short- and long-deadlines in a fast-paced, data-driven work environment and to accurately fact-check information
- Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and team player skills. Excellent communication and active listening skills.
- Ability to interact professionally and build relationships and develop sources with a diverse array of people.
- Ability to work well, be professional and courteous with a variety of editors, staff at all levels, and the public.
- Computer proficiency (Google Suite, Digital editing, web search, databases)
- Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include nights and weekends
- Must be able to work remotely while contributing to a team environment
- Regular and reliable attendance.
Education And Experience
- Combination of knowledge and experience equivalent to a B.A. or B.S. Degree in Journalism or writing related field.
- Two to four years of digital writing/reporting experience, ideally in entertainment, celebrity, or sports media.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this role.
About McClatchy
Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 56 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.
As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.
McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on well-being and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.
Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. For more information on McClatchy’s benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.