Award-Winning Journalist Calls for a Shift Toward Human-Centered Sports Reporting
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 20, 2025 / Emmy-nominated and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist Rick Saleeby is using his latest feature interview to call attention to what he sees as a missing piece in modern sports coverage: the human story.
"For me, the game itself isn't always the story-it's the people, the tension, the stakes," Saleeby said in the Q&A. "I once covered a high school game where the star pitcher's father had just come home from overseas military service. The look they shared after the final out-that's what stuck. That's what mattered."
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study, 65% of sports fans say they want more behind-the-scenes and personal-interest stories, yet only 27% feel that sports media delivers them regularly. Saleeby believes journalists and content creators can help close that gap by listening first and looking deeper.
"Don't just learn how to tell a story-learn why you're telling it," he emphasized. "If you understand that, the words and the format fall into place."
His advice isn't just for professional journalists. He says anyone-whether sharing stories on social media, writing for a community paper, or even talking to friends-can make an impact by paying attention to the details that reveal character and humanity.
Call to Action
Saleeby encourages storytellers at every level to:
Ask better questions - go beyond the surface.
Focus on trust - earn it before you expect honesty.
Embrace risk - try new ways of telling stories, even if they fail.
"Stories have the power to connect people who may never meet," he said. "That's worth chasing every time."
For those who want to explore the full conversation with Rick Saleeby, visit the website here.
About Rick Saleeby
Rick Saleeby is an Emmy-nominated and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning writer and senior producer with more than two decades of experience in sports and broadcast journalism. A Long Island, New York native and graduate of St. John's University, Saleeby has covered events from small-town championships to major league playoffs, always seeking the human stories behind the action. His work is known for its attention to detail, emotional depth, and ability to connect audiences to the heart of the moment.
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SOURCE: Rick Saleeby
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