Senior Sports Writer

About the role

Sotheby’s, established in 1744, promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. The company operates across 70 selling categories with a global network of specialists in 40 countries, including Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, Design, collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender, having originated over $12 billion in loans. The new global headquarters is at the Breuer building, 945 Madison Avenue, New York City.

The Writer & Researcher will join the Sports team in New York, researching, writing and fact‑checking content for Sports auction lots, shaping the story around each lot, leading the Sports cataloguing process, setting standards for research, writing and review, and ensuring high‑quality content for clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sports cataloguing process from a writing and research perspective, setting and maintaining clear standards for catalogue notes, sourcing, fact‑checking, condition reporting and final review.
• Research and write catalogue content for significant and high‑value property, identifying the history, context and details that best communicate the importance and appeal of each lot.
• Review catalogue content produced across the team, providing edits and guidance and ensuring work meets Sotheby’s standards for accuracy, clarity and quality before publication.
• Develop and improve workflows for research, writing and quality control, giving the team a consistent structure for producing and reviewing catalogue content.
• Conduct detailed research into players, teams, games, statistics, records, provenance and other relevant context using appropriate internal and external sources.
• Write and proofread broader Sports content including sale and lot overview pages, editorial features, press materials, website content and social copy.
• Inspect property and prepare condition reports, working with Specialists and relevant internal or external experts where needed.
• Work closely with Specialists and colleagues across Editorial, Marketing, Press, Social, Photography and other support departments to meet catalogue and publication deadlines.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in writing, research, editing, journalism, cataloguing or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Skills

• Exceptional writing and research skills, able to turn detailed information into engaging and concise copy.
• Strong editorial judgment and instinct for identifying compelling details.
• Experience setting or maintaining editorial, research or cataloguing standards and reviewing others’ work.
• Strong editing skills and ability to quickly adopt an established tone and style.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong fact‑checking skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of projects and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of sports and sports history (preferred).
• Experience in sports media, journalism, publishing, editorial, research, sports memorabilia or collectibles (preferred).
• Auction house cataloguing or research experience (helpful but not required).

Pay

The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $70,000 to $90,000. Successful candidates are also eligible for a discretionary bonus.

Benefits

A competitive benefits package is offered.