Sports journalism is important. Reporters, commentators and content creators are an increasingly central part of our media diet, narrating events large and small to viewers, listeners, readers, followers and subscribers. Yet the playing field is constantly changing. Evolving technologies, financial pressures in legacy journalism, the rise of in-house media, shifting boundaries in sport–media relations, discrimination, sportswashing, fan and athlete-created content and the use of generative AI are among critical issues putting sports journalism under pressure. The University of Salford is hosting a one-day symposium to explore the past, present and future of sports journalism in this context.
Proposals are sought for individual papers (up to 15 minutes) or themed panels made up of 2-4 presentations, from anyone who has original research into sports journalism which they would like to share. Presentations are welcome from early career researchers, PGRs, independent researchers, journalists and other non-academics. It is intended to produce an edited book collection of research presented.
This symposium is held on an important anniversary. It will take place 100 years to the day since the first live commentary of a sporting occasion on BBC radio, of England v Wales in rugby union’s Five Nations Championship. There’s no better time to consider how sports journalism has evolved and the opportunities and challenges it now faces.
The symposium is being organised by Dr Richard Jones, Director of Media, Film, Journalism, Politics and History at the University of Salford. It will also serve as the formal launch of his new monograph, Sports Journalism in the UK, which is published in October 2026 by Routledge. The book makes a critical interventioninto debates about sport, journalism and the broader media industries in the UK, and reveals new insights into the working practices of sports media professionals.
Themes
Presentations and panels could address one or more of the following suggested topics and themes, although all proposals are welcome and will be considered.
The term ‘sports journalism’ is interpreted broadly, and can include broadcasting, commentary, content creation and journalistic work in other media formats.
- The role of sports journalism
- Working practices of sports journalists
- Sports journalism content and formats
- The use of AI in sports journalism
- Legacy players in sports journalism, such as television, radio, magazines and newspapers
- Sports journalism podcasts
- Emerging platforms, brands and channels in sports journalism
- Alternative and fan media
- Fantasy sport, e-sports, gambling and other sport-adjacent content
- Discrimination and inequality in sports journalism
- Sports journalists’ use of social media
- Freelancing and precarious sports journalism work
- Sports journalism since the pandemic, including remote working
- Ethics and sports journalism
- Relationships between sports journalists and in-house media teams
- News conferences, interviews and access to players and managers
- The prominence of different sports within sports journalism
- The first 100 years of live sports broadcasting and commentary in the UK
- Histories of sports journalism
- Teaching sports journalism
Submissions
The symposium format is in person for all presentations. If you would like to present your research, please email Richard Jones, R.L.Jones@salford.ac.uk, with the following information by Friday 30 October 2026:
- Your name and the proposed title of your presentation
- Your institutional affiliation, if any
- A short summary of your proposal (200-300 words)
- A short biography (up to 50 words)
Deadline for submissions: Friday 30 October 2026
Decisions: Friday 13 November 2026
