stock photo of female athletes on a field hockey team running

As with many industries, aspiring broadcasters tend to look for people to admire who are already famous in their field. Those who want to work in television news admire Katie Couric, while those who prefer talk shows want to be just like Barbara Walters, who started The View. But what about women who work in sports? Although the field used to be dominated by men, women are taking over more and more broadcasting duties, regardless of the sport.

Some of the most famous female sports broadcasters appear on television weekly, asking players and officials questions and covering the sports that they love. And the good news? You could be just like them.

Top Female Sports Broadcasters

Do the names Erin Andrews, Hannah Storm, Jaime Maggio, and Mary Carillo ring a bell? All are considered to be among the top female sports broadcasters in the field. If you're a football fan, you've probably seen Erin Andrews on the field, asking the important questions during the game. She's also covered everything from basketball to baseball. Analyst and former professional tennis player Mary Carillo is known for her Olympics coverage, making her one of the best-known sports broadcasters in the country.

Jaime Maggio, on the other hand, is best known for her encyclopedic sports knowledge. She covers several different sports, including professional baseball, basketball, and football for TNT, Fox Sports West, and even the NFL Network. Last, but far from least, there's Hannah Storm, who has provided play-by-play and acted as a host for several major sporting events and networks, including the NFL, NBA, Olympics, NBC Sports and ESPN.

Despite their varied specialties and knowledge, all of the top female sports broadcasters have one thing in common: they've inspired many women to do the same and break into the still predominantly male world of sports broadcasting. So, are you wondering how you can do the same?

Getting Into Sports Broadcasting

Anyone looking to get into sports broadcasting needs to not only have plenty of knowledge about sports but also a degree in the field. Dean College offers a degree in Sports Broadcasting, as well as a summer program for high school students who think that sports broadcasting sounds like the career path for them.

Some of the courses included in the bachelor's degree sports broadcasting program include digital video production, media writing, sports reporting, and sports play-by-play. It's important to have experience on both sides of the camera, as many of the top female sports broadcasters spent time in the control booth early in their careers and worked their way up from there.

Experience in the Field

Not only is a degree a requirement to work in sports broadcasting, but you also need to have plenty of experience in the field. Internships for radio and television stations open up the possibility of working in sports broadcasting, as they provide students with the real-world experience that they need, as well as the ability to network and make the connections required to get a job. Combined with a degree in the field, these internships help aspiring female sports broadcasters get the jobs of their dreams. It’s a path for women that is well worth the journey! Ready to be the next female sports broadcaster? If your dream is to become one of the top female sports broadcasters, start by taking the first step, today.