Sports Booth Matthew McConnell

Join Matt McConnell as he answers popular questions submitted by listeners to the Sports Booth mailbox. If you have any questions regarding sports play-by-play or the podcast, email them to PXPQuestions@gmail.com.









(Music by Kevin McLeod)

As a sports broadcaster, it's important you know who your audience is. So we decided to have some fun and interview "Dave" and "Mike". Both are HUGE sports fans that love following their favorite teams. Listen along and find out what they like to hear on the air from their broadcasters, who their favorite sports broadcasters are and what annoys them when listening to games. Learn how they are similar and different when it comes to consuming their sports broadcasts and how they see the future of sports media. 




(Music by Kevin McLeod)

From your first day in college to graduation, this episode of Sports Booth lays out a game plan on how to become as employable as possible. Learn why a solid academic foundation is critical to your success, why winning over employers is more than just play-by-play, how job descriptions can provide a road map for success. We also discuss internships, building relationships with influencers, learning to develop rapport with people of influence and task management. Whether you're just starting your college career or you're a junior or senior (or even a young broadcaster just out of college) , this episode is loaded with advice and information that's sure to help you along your journey.







(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Now's your chance to learn from the biggest names in sports television production history. Shannon is the former Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada. Not only has John worked for the CBC, he's also worked at Rogers Sportsnet, produced PGA golf and soccer and been part of the senior broadcasting management group at the National Hockey League. He's been an Olympic sports producer and has worked with some of the biggest play-by-play names in the business. He's even worked on the talent side of the business. 

Learn what he likes to hear from play-by-play broadcasters when he's watching games. Get his thoughts on the attributes that make for a successful sports broadcaster. Learn his four key words to success, and why being able to evolve in the business is critical to your success.







(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Never heard of a "Me" file? This episode explains the importance of keeping track of all of your achievements, whether they are broadcast related or not. Learn why having a "Me" file is critical in maintaining an accurate account of your accomplishments, awards and recognitions by peers and superiors, and how they all play a role during the job interviewing process. Learn how work experiences that are not related to play-by-play can ultimately help land you a play-by-play gig. Setting up and maintaining a "Me" file is a CRITICAL step in the job application process.









(Music by Kevin MacLeod)

Now's your chance to hear from one of the most experienced general managers in minor pro baseball. Allen has been managing and hiring candidates for the Salem Red Sox organization for more than 20 years. Included in those hires have been Chicago White Sox TV Play-By-Play Broadcaster Jason Benetti and Baltimore Orioles voice Melanie Newman (featured in Episode #22).  

Learn what skills and attributes are important to an organization and the skills they identify as "must haves" during the application process, the importance of following up, the "it" factor, the importance of being effective in a team environment, and what you should be doing right now to better your odds for landing the gig. Lawrence lays it all out for you. Now's your chance to take advantage. 







(Music by Kevin MacLeod)