Sports Content Researcher (Bristol, CT)

About the role

ESPN's Sports Content Researchers provide television, audio, digital and social platforms with statistics, context and historical perspectives that make sports coverage as interesting to the sports fanatic as it is understandable to the casual observer. Researchers tap their existing reservoirs of knowledge and use ESPN's vast resources – including access to world-class advanced metrics – to hone in on the why and how of sporting events that are most important to ESPN and sports fans. The NFL, college football and the NBA are year-round staples, with significant coverage for the NHL, WNBA and college basketball. Any sport could deliver the story of the day, week or month.

Responsibilities

• Create original full-screen graphics and anchor lead-ins for live shows such as Sports Center, using research and copy you've written
• Post the most relevant news on the BottomLine – from Breaking News alerts to in-depth coverage and putting complex news stories into context
• Create game previews for shows such as NFL Live that are informative, factually accurate and unique enough that even die-hard sports fans really learn something
• Collaborate with colleagues for every element of a studio show, from unearthing little-known facts to quickly bringing up relevant stats when trades, coaching changes or injuries are announced
• Provide real-time updates for anchors and announcers while they are on the air
• Develop interesting segments and help colleagues flesh out their own ideas
• Develop visually appealing, factually revealing graphics for TV and digital feeds
• Drop everything when news breaks and use deep knowledge of advanced metrics, analytics and research tools to create supporting content, often with a deadline of minutes or seconds

Working in research also means

• You work a schedule that varies by month and/or season – you'll dive deeply into sports and have enough variety to keep your days and weeks fresh
• Experience professional growth and development – in addition to on-boarding, training and coaching that is a constant, you'll meet with your supervisor formally twice a month and receive quarterly performance updates

Qualifications

• 1 year of related experience in sports, statistics, research or a related field
• Full availability to work days, nights, weekends and holidays
• Broad knowledge of most sports and deep knowledge of several, including awareness of current/historical sports statistics, milestones, news, and events
• Elite writing and grammar skills
• Aptitude to research and write air-ready scripts for BottomLine as well as Event and Studio productions
• Ability to communicate information accurately
• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and react to breaking news
• Ability to follow all Disney, ESPN and department policies and directives

Preferred qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with statistics in an online, television or print media environment
• Fluency in reading, speaking and writing Spanish
• Demonstrated track record of training others and/or managing team-based projects

Education

High School diploma or equivalent required. College degree or equivalent preferred.

Schedule

Research at ESPN is 24/7, and the role is On Site (all shifts are worked in person on campus). Position shift times include early mornings and late nights – and everything in between – as well as shifts on weekends and holidays. This is a constant throughout one's career in ESPN Content.

Pay

The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $59,600 to $79,800 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.