US Sports and Leisure Correspondent

financialtimes33; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Financial Times is seeking an energetic and versatile journalist based in New York to cover the business of sports and the consumer brands closely tied to it.

This role focuses on corporate and financial reporting, dealmaking, and the intersection of sports with technology, media and luxury branding. You will collaborate with teams in London and New York and contribute to FT newsletters and events.

Qualifications

• You will have a proven track record of building contacts, breaking stories and working well within a team.
• We are also seeking someone who can write with flair, produce timely and smart analysis and identify trends.

Responsibilities

• Produce scoops about deals and investments
• Write lively stories about the billionaires, sovereign wealth funds and private equity firms that are shaking up the world of sports
• Cover the major US sportswear and equipment companies
• Work with other reporters to break news about and analyse the media and sponsorship deals that drive profitability
• Weekend shifts as part of the team rota

Job description

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

The role

The Financial Times is looking for an energetic and versatile journalist based in New York to cover the business of sports and the consumer brands that are closely tied to it.

Sports are a rapidly growing asset class that commands the attention of billions of people and tens of billions of dollars. We are looking for a dynamic reporter who can break corporate and investment stories, write vivid profiles and produce smart analysis. You will be able to dig into dealmaking and the billionaires who fund this industry as well as the intersection of sports with technology, media, consumer and betting industries.

While there will be some coverage of live events, this is fundamentally a corporate and financial beat. In particular, we want a reporter who will focus on how US sports are attracting global investment interest as they seek to grow worldwide while also producing smart stories about equipment, clothing and luxury brands linked to the world of sports.

This correspondent will need to be a collaborative self-starter who will work closely with the sports team in London, the deals and corporate finance team in New York and the global media team. They will contribute to both the Scoreboard and Due Diligence newsletters and work with FT Live on events that touch on the business of sports.

Key responsibilities

• Produce scoops about deals and investments
• Write lively stories about the billionaires, sovereign wealth funds and private equity firms that are shaking up the world of sports
• Cover the major US sportswear and equipment companies
• Work with other reporters to break news about and analyse the media and sponsorship deals that drive profitability
• Weekend shifts as part of the team rota

Who we are looking for

You will have a proven track record of building contacts, breaking stories and working well within a team. We are also seeking someone who can write with flair, produce timely and smart analysis and identify trends.

External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $80,000-$120,000p.a. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focu