Detroit Free Press Tigers Writer
USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK and Newsquest in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences.
About the role
The Detroit Free Press is seeking a Detroit Tigers beat reporter to break news and produce high-value stories that include context, analysis, entertaining features, and investigative pieces. This reporter will become the go-to brand for all things Tigers, delivering thought-provoking analysis, exclusive insight, and engaging with the community across multiple platforms, including social media, podcasts, video, television, and online.
The position reports to Free Press sports editor Ryan Winn.
Responsibilities
- Cover the Detroit Tigers for all platforms, including breaking news, trending topics, and in-depth analysis.
- Assist in coverage of major events (e.g., Final Four, Super Bowl).
- Use social media and messaging platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit) as news-gathering tools.
- Optimize stories for target audiences using SEO and metrics.
- Develop reader relationships through engaging content to become the primary source for Tigers news and analysis.
- Produce multimedia content, including photos, video, and audio in the field.
- Host or lead analysis on podcasts and videos.
- Demonstrate strong news judgment guided by audience metrics and journalism ethics.
- Uphold fairness, compassion, sensitivity, and accuracy in reporting.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least two years of professional journalism experience, with preference for major beat coverage.
- Entrepreneurial approach to growing audience and building a dedicated following.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with multimedia production (photos, video, audio).
- Proven ability to host or lead analysis on podcasts and videos.
- Strong grounding in journalism ethics and media law.