Jon Morosi speaks about his career in sports writing and television

Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi visited Newhouse Thursday afternoon to speak to students about his career as a sportswriter, broadcaster, and reporter. Morosi has been with Fox Sports since 2009. Michael Gross, a graduate student in the broadcast and digital journalism program, hosted the event.

Morosi’s career is unique, as he started as a writer and eventually made the transition to television. He shared an anecdote about how he found out he’d be making the switch, telling students that he was invited to a dinner with other writers during which they were told, “Welcome, and congratulations!” He’s been on TV ever since.

On the subject of writing, Morosi explained to students that before someone can be a good broadcaster, they must be a good writer. He emphasized the importance of versatility and having a wide skill set, as it sets you apart from others vying for the same position.

He gave the example of being fluent in Spanish when discussing how to set yourself apart. As a baseball writer, Morosi has had to have conversations with players whose first language is not English, noting that being fluent in another language is incredibly appealing to potential employers.

Morosi recommended that students watch the Spanish broadcast of games to learn key terms. He explained that while he may not be as fluent as a native speaker, he knows the key baseball terms most commonly used in interviews.

Work-life balance was another part of being in the sports industry that Morosi discussed in detail. He said that at times, he let his job “take over his life”, but advised current students to be mindful of the necessity to have a life outside work. Morosi spoke about his wife and daughter, sharing that he sets his phone aside when he’s with his family in an effort to focus on being present with his loved ones.

Morosi also showed students a clip of a post-game interview he did with Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo after he made a leaping catch that robbed Justin Turner of a home run. He explained that a common mistake broadcasters make is talking too much, then getting caught in the loop of not being able to stop speaking. He encouraged students to ask precise, succinct questions that let the interviewee’s answers shine.

He also encouraged students to humanize the athletes they interview by asking questions unrelated to the game itself. Morosi used the example of asking a player who is watching the game back in their hometown, noting that almost every player asked that question will smile and give a cheerful, personable answer.

Morosi regularly appears on MLB broadcasts on FS1 as a reporter, along with regularly contributing to MLB WHIPAROUND. He also makes regular appearances on “MLB Central” and “Hot Stove”.