When did the sports commentary profession originate? According to records, in 1921, a small radio station in Pittsburgh, USA broadcast live the boxing match between Johnny Dundee and Johnny Ray. A few years later, baseball and rugby matches also began to be broadcast on radio. From such simple broadcasts, a new profession gradually formed: the sports commentary profession.
The first commentators were actually like guides for the audience's imagination. They had to describe every small detail on the field. Where the player was running, which direction the ball was going, how the stands were reacting. Therefore, the words were enthusiastic, rich in images and had a characteristic rhythm. When television was born a few decades later, the way of working changed. The audience saw the match. The commentators were no longer the eyes of the viewer, but they still played an important role, when they became people who helped the audience understand the match.
Over time, this profession gradually gained its own place in the sports ecosystem. Some voices even became iconic. Fans not only remember the match, but also remember how the match is recounted.
From radio to television
During the broadcasting period, the main task of the commentator is to report. Each situation must be described quickly, accurately and continuously. Just a few seconds late, the listener will lose the match flow. Therefore, the classic radio commentary style is often very pressing, with almost no space. When television became popular in the 1950s, the style changed. Images provided most of the visual information. Commentators had to add things that images did not have. They talked about tactics, about the historical context of the match, and the performance of each player. In other words, sports commentary began to bring many elements of journalism.
Also from here, television formed a familiar structure with two commentators. One person maintains the rhythm of reporting, describing what is happening on the field. The other person analyzes expertise, usually former players or coaches. That combination helps the program become deeper and gradually becomes the standard of sports television. This is also the period when many famous commentators appear. Many sayings even become part of sports memory. When fans recall a classic match, they often remember the saying that comes with that moment.
When commentary becomes part of the match
In the late 20th century, commentators were no longer just outsiders. They became part of the experience that the audience felt. A decisive goal is sometimes remembered not only for the shot, but also for the way it is called on air. Therefore, the commentary profession is increasingly demanding. A good commentator does not only need a clear voice. They must prepare data, study tactics and grasp information about players before each match. Notebooks, statistics tables or behind-the-scenes documents become familiar tools.
At the same time, they also have to keep the emotional rhythm of the match. There are times when silence is needed for the audience to feel the atmosphere. There are moments when a short but emotional statement is needed. At this point, the commentary profession begins to bring many elements of the art of storytelling.
The social media era and new pressures
In the digital media era, the commentary profession enters a different period of transformation. Previously, commentary mainly existed within the scope of matches. Today, each sentence can be filtered out, spread on social networks and become a topic of debate. This puts greater pressure on commentators. A thoughtless sentence can create prolonged arguments. At the same time, the competition of fast content platforms also makes many sports programs focus on entertainment elements. Sharp, humorous or attention-grabbing comments are sometimes prioritized over in-depth professional analyses.
Besides, there is also the story of bias. In many sports media studies, researchers point out that commentators sometimes unconsciously build their own stories about players or teams. Those stories can make the match more attractive, but also easily lead to distorted views.
The nature of the speaking profession
However, if looking through the changes of technology and media, the nature of the sports commentary profession seems to remain the same. First of all, they are journalists. Commentators must grasp accurate information, understand the context of the match and explain to the audience what is happening on the field. Today, many young people who are not journalists but are passionate about football, like to comment on football and also create their own impressions and quite interesting styles.
Second, they are storytellers. Sports are inherently dramatic, but it is the way they tell stories that creates emotions for the audience. A timely statement can turn a normal moment into an unforgettable memory. And finally, they are the ones who guide the audience's perception. What commentators emphasize, how they interpret a situation or their attitude towards a player can all affect how the public perceives the match.
From radio to television, from television to social networks, the sports commentator profession has gone through more than a century of transformation. Technology changes, styles change, but the core of the profession is still the same. A head that understands the match, a voice that knows how to tell stories and a bravery strong enough to understand that each of your words can become a part of sports history.
“... Once when writing a portrait for a magazine, I had the opportunity to stand in the Channel 7 commentary room to observe them working. Bruce McAvaney looked like an athlete preparing to enter the Olympic final - full of excitement, unable to sit still. Dennis Cometti sat there like a seasoned defense lawyer, next to a briefcase full of carefully encoded notes. Bruce observed through binoculars, constantly shifting the focus from his left foot to his right foot. Dennis followed through a small screen, occasionally flipping his notebook. In those notes were all kinds of detailed information about the players, spare jokes and interesting points that could be exploited. But he hardly used them. That made him excellent. He prepared carefully to every detail. But he was patient. He could keep those jokes for decades. And right at the perfect moment, amidst the heat of a final, when everyone was unexpected, he let go...". (Excerpt from an article in The Guardian about commentator Dennis Cometti - who just passed away at the age of 76).
