Sports commentator facts for kids
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In sports broadcasting, a commentator is a person who describes what is happening in a game or event. When you watch sports on television, you usually hear the commentator's voice. You don't often see them on screen. In North America, commentators are also called announcers or sportscasters. Often, the main commentator works with other people. These can include a color commentator and sometimes a sideline reporter. For big events, many sideline reporters might be used.
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Meet the Sports Broadcasters
Sports broadcasters are the people who bring games to life for fans. They have different roles to make sure you get all the details and fun facts.
Play-by-Play Announcers
Play-by-play announcers are the main speakers. They need to be very clear and easy to understand. They are good at describing fast-moving sports quickly. These announcers are often professional journalists. Their job is to describe each play of the game as it happens.
Color Commentators
Color commentators add their own experience and special knowledge to the game. The play-by-play announcer often asks them questions. This gives them a chance to share their thoughts. Color commentators were often players or coaches in the sport they are talking about. They add "color" to the broadcast. This means they give extra interesting information. They make the broadcast more entertaining.
Sideline Reporters
Sideline reporters are placed in different spots around the stadium or arena. They gather more information for the color commentator to share with the audience. For example, some might be near the locker rooms. Others might be by the team benches. They often interview players and coaches. They do this before, during, and after the game. They also try to find out about things like player injuries.
Most sports TV shows have one play-by-play announcer and one color commentator. For example, in the United States, NBC Sunday Night Football has Cris Collinsworth. He was a former American football player. He works with Al Michaels, a professional announcer. In the United Kingdom, the roles are sometimes a bit different. Often, one person has journalistic training but less sports experience. They lead the commentary. An expert, who used to play or compete, handles the analysis.
There are some exceptions to this. All of the UK's main cricket and snooker commentators used to be professionals in those sports. The famous Formula One racing commentator Murray Walker did not have formal training. He also had only a little racing experience himself.
Using a play-by-play announcer and one or more color commentators is common today. In the past, it was more usual for a play-by-play announcer to work alone.
Sports Commentary in the United States
Sports broadcasts began in 1912. But the first sports commentary was heard in April 1921. Florent Gibson, a reporter for the Pittsburg Star newspaper, did it. He was covering a boxing match. It was between Johnny Ray and Johnny "Hutch" Dundee. The fight took place in Pittsburgh.
In the United States, almost all professional sports teams have their own commentators. Most university teams do too. These people are often seen as the "voice" of the team on radio shows. They are often thought of as part of the team, like the players or coaches. Television networks and cable channels also have their own groups of announcers. These announcers work with different teams.
Images for kids
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Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, and Paul O'Neill as the announcers of every New York Yankees game on YES.
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Professional wrestling commentators John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Michael Cole, and Jerry "The King" Lawler
