Sports Content Researcher - Inglewood, CA

About the role

You have a head for stats, an eye for a great story, and the range as a writer to be creative and succinct—your passion for sports fuels it all. As a Sports Content Researcher at ESPN, you’ll work on NFL Network shows in Inglewood, CA, as part of the larger Research & Graphics team, with staff also located in Bristol, CT, and Charlotte, NC. Your mission: provide ESPN’s television, audio, digital, and social platforms with statistics, context, and historical perspectives that make sports coverage engaging for both fanatics and casual observers.

While the role requires working on major events like the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and schedule releases, you’ll be surrounded by a tight-knit team of like-minded professionals in ESPN’s Inglewood production center. You’ll leverage your sports knowledge and ESPN’s resources—including advanced metrics—to uncover the "why" and "how" behind key sporting events. NFL, college football, and NBA are year-round staples, with significant coverage for NHL, WNBA, and college basketball.

Responsibilities

• Create original full-screen graphics and anchor lead-ins for live shows (e.g., NFL Network or other ESPN platforms) using your research and writing.
• Post relevant news on the ESPN BottomLine/NFL Network ticker, from breaking alerts to in-depth context for complex stories.
• Develop informative, factually accurate, and unique game previews for shows that even die-hard fans will learn from.
• Collaborate with colleagues on studio show elements, from uncovering little-known facts to providing real-time stats for trades, injuries, or coaching changes.
• Provide live updates for anchors and announcers during broadcasts.
• Develop compelling segments and help refine ideas with your team.
• Design visually appealing, fact-driven graphics for TV and digital feeds.
• Respond to breaking news with rapid research, often under tight deadlines (minutes or seconds).

Additional aspects of the role include:

• A dynamic schedule that varies by month/season, offering deep dives into sports while keeping workdays fresh.
• Professional growth opportunities, including bi-monthly supervisor meetings and quarterly performance updates.

Requirements

• 1 year of related experience in sports, statistics, research, or a similar field.
• Full availability to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Broad knowledge of most sports and deep expertise in the NFL and several others, including awareness of current/historical statistics, milestones, and events.
• Elite writing and grammar skills, with the ability to research and write air-ready scripts for BottomLine, event, and studio productions.
• Ability to communicate information accurately and adhere to strict deadlines, especially during breaking news.
• Adherence to all Disney, ESPN, and department policies.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Education

• Required: High School diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: College degree or equivalent.

Additional Information

This is an on-site role in Inglewood, CA, with shift times including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. Research at ESPN operates 24/7, and schedules may vary based on business needs.

Pay

The hiring range for this position in Inglewood, CA is $59,600 to $79,800 per year based on a 40-hour work week. Actual base pay will consider internal equity and may vary by geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional compensation may include bonuses, long-term incentives, and benefits, depending on the level and position offered.