Learning About the ‘Global’ Game

My Experience as a Working Sports Journalist

By ELANA HUTTER Special to the Palisadian-Post In 2008, a year after graduating from UC Berkeley, I moved to Barcelona, Spain where I had spent a semester abroad during college. While there to learn the Spanish language, I quickly fell in love with the country’s favorite past time, f’tbol. I spent numerous games in the bleachers at the top of Camp Nou, the soccer stadium in Barcelona. This summer, however, I had a field pass at the Rose Bowl when the Real Madrid soccer team came to Los Angeles to play a soccer exhibition against the Galaxy. Working towards my goal of hosting a philanthropy driven sports travel show, I started studying broadcasting at UCLA Extension and Santa Monica College. Entering the world of sports reporting takes more than a golden ticket these days. Networking, persistence, and talent are necessary, but what about the added difficulty of breaking into a male dominated profession? I was granted media credentials for Real Madrid’s training sessions at UCLA based on my being a broadcasting student with the boldness to call myself “press.” I attended a press conference with Jose Mourinho, said to be one of the best soccer coaches in the world. The press room had a long table set with microphones, photographers on their knees in the front, chairs in rows filled with writers from well known magazines like Sports Illustrated to small sports blogs, and video cameras lined the back walls. The writers all seemed to have known each other for years, chatting, comfortably and casually. With this exclusive access, I initiated conversation with my “colleagues.” Their well-known company names were less intimidating to me once we were joking around, or when Mourinho referred to ESPN Los Angeles soccer reporter Scott French as “Steven Spielberg” for his silver beard and moustache combo look. I did notice, however, that I was one of the few women attending the conference. The next night at the Rose Bowl, I made the point of checking the list of the press seat assignments and counted only eight women out of 55 radio and print media covering the game. Was this merely because it was a sporting event involving two men’s teams? I know women are interested in sports reporting, so are we not encouraged to enter what appears to be the “old boys network?” I was fortunate enough to spend time with a European reporter who explained to me the ins and outs of the job. He commented on the contrast between journalists in London and those he met in Los Angeles. In London, he observes a cooler and openly competitive nature amongst writers, while in the U.S. there is a friendlier, more inclusive rapport. Disturbingly, he also mentioned how difficult it is for women in the United Kingdom to be sports reporters. He admitted that harsh rumors are often spread about the female reporters who secure key interviews. Part of the draw of this event for me was the opportunity to speak in Spanish. Almost everyone in the press, and those working with the teams, was bilingual and appreciated my efforts to converse in Spanish. I went from having a press box pass, to having a field pass. This meant I was about four feet away from the players at the start of the game and taking photos of Cristiano Ronaldo smiling into my camera. Throughout the day, I found that my assertiveness, curiosity and a smile, took me far in my first experience as a reporter. During the game I stood behind the goals with all the other photographers. Note to self, next time wear better shoes for standing with heavy equipment for so long. My camera lens is not sufficient for sports photography. “This one may work better for you,” joked the Associated Press photographer next to me, as he offered me his large Canon zoom lens. I picked his brain about cameras, past experiences, and tips on getting into the business. Then I raised the issue of being one of the only female sports photographers present. I explained that people have been so helpful with me at the game, and he admitted that he had never let anyone borrow a lens before. I do not know if this was simply my experience and I happened to meet very generous individuals, or if perhaps these men simply do not see women as threatening competition. Either way, it is possible for women to break into this male-dominated field. Though once in the door, everyone’s work speaks for itself. After the game, players passed by a “press mixer” on the way to their team bus. All the press was invited, so this was when the print and radio media got the opportunity to question the passing players. Not every player stopped for an interview and not all of the journalists’ questions were answered. However, Pepe, a Portuguese Real Madrid player was one of the last to leave the locker rooms. He was rushing to the bus and he passed up all the reporters trying to secure interviews with him. He had also just injured himself during the game. I called his name, and he seemed to recognize me from taking photos of him on the field, perhaps because I was one of the few females. We had a quick back and forth in the little Portuguese I speak, then I thanked him and he left. I was the only reporter he stopped to speak with, which was both exciting and encouraging. Sports reporting is a dream job, but it is a very competitive and demanding business. These are talented individuals who have so much love and passion for sports, for their jobs, and for writing and broadcasting. They have quick deadlines and demanding followers. I merely want other women not to feel intimidated in this male-dominated environment. It is all about getting a foot in the door and maximizing on opportunities. (Editor’s note: Elana Hutter graduated from Palisades High in 2003. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley, majoring in International Civil Rights and Social Movements, she moved to Barcelona, Spain, in 2008 and is now back in the Palisades. She is currently a Jeremiah Fellow, focused on social justice organizing.)