I am new to the board and this is actually the first time I have officially adressed this issue not only to someone else but to myself really. Just saw the feature on SportsCenter about the Missouri Lacrosse coach and got the courage to come on here. I am a college student right now going to school to become a sports broadcaster. The past few years have been very promising for me with a lot of opportunities to dive into the field but my sexuality has been a big source of stress for me. I'm sure most of you know what I am talking about when I say that. I am SO worried that if I ever did come out that being a gay man would drastically affect my chance of thriving in a business that is hard enough to get into being straight. Just wanted to get some thoughts and see if anyone knew of people who have done it.

TV Guy, I don't think there are any 'out' male sportscasters (Mary Carillo -sorry if the spelling is wrong---from tennis and HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is the only female sportscaster that comes to mind). I want to wish you luck in the future and I hope you have a great career in the business.

Thank you so much Rick. I know there is going to be some adversity ahead of me but I feel confident that I can do it. One step at a time. There are a couple sports writers that I have found who have been succesful but no broadcasters.

Hey - Don't worry about it. The world is changing sooo fast in accepting gay everythings. I never thought being a gay cop, I would be so accepted by other cops as I am today. Just live your life a day at a time and don't worry needlessly.

Hey Copman. It's people like you that really do give me hope. I am sure hoping that you are right. It is definetly promising to see more and more people become more accepting and having gay people more prominent in our society. Thanks again! I will do my best to take it one day at a time.

I could imagine it being very difficult to be openly gay and in the sports broadcasting or journalism world, but there is hope, LZ Granderson has done it. LZ's Bio

I hope this little bit of information shows that while it is pretty uncommon for a gay sports broadcaster, it can be done. Just keep up with what you like doing, I would think companies would put more emphasis on how well you write then your orientation anyway.

Wasn't there a gay sportwriter who came out a few years ago (about 5 maybe)- he wrote for Sports Illustrated? , or ESPN? ? Can anyone help me?

Here's an Outsports discussion board page from September 2003 on Boston Herald sports columnist Ed Gray and reaction from Outsports users.

Hope it helps.

You may be thinking of Bill Konigsberg. He worked for ESPN but now (I think) works for the Associated Press.

Bill Konigsberg wrote a piece for Outsports on being out at ESPN, Gay and Proud at the Worldwide Leader In Sports. As Joe said, he's writing for the AP now. (His Website.)

There's also NFLJockGuy, who I understand is a broadcast journalist, although not out publicly. And JasonPageSirius, a sportscaster on Sirius satellite radio.

Great stuff everyone! I really appreciate all the feedback. Can't thank you all enough. I look forward to reading about all these guys

I know this is easier said than done, but try not to let it be a source of stress. I'm print, not broadcast, but still the same industry mostly... Never ever ever had any sort of issue and I'd be almost caught off guard if I ever did.

Most people, I think, come out with no problems at all. And those expecting the worst are often pleasantly surprised.

While there are many runors about Mary Carillo, her husband might have something to say about her being out.

My apologies to Mary and her husband! I did not want to start or continue any unsubstantiated rumors.

Diana Nyad and Renee Stubbs came out publicly. I don't know if Mary ever did. But duh. Anyone know any details about her outing?

He's in the "biz".He never said he was a journalist,however.I'm surprised he hasn't responded.

I wish you luck young man. Nobody mentioned it, but I am an openly-gay sportscaster with Sirius Satellite Radio here in New York. It's tough, and I would always tel you to pick and choose the spots where you open up to people. There are a lot of hoophobic people in the broadcasting industry, especially in sports. I have dealt with plenty of them over the past 5 or 6 years.

If you need to talk, hit me up and I'd be glad to talk to you about it.


JASON PAGE

Actually, you were mentioned by fenwayguy (see post #10).

I actually had a chance to message him and talk to him about. So thank you for giving me that name.

I keep saying it but once again thanks so much everyone for the feedback. This is very important to me and a big time of my life. Being able to talk about this stuff has been so helpful. I appreciate every bit of info!

LOL.... oh Eddie!.. My parents (who paid the tuition bill), THE Ohio State University (who granted me the degree) and FOX (who pays me a helluva lotta change) would probably disagree.

And to the above posting about my "not being out", there are probably a lot of people and co-workers in this town who wish that I weren't; I've been working in television since I was 18 (a long time ago) and have been out (and loud about it) since I was 21. Living and working by example is the best way to crush stereotypes and change people's attitudes and I hope that I've done that in the past couple decades.

Apologies for my mistaken impression. Shoving anyone back in the closet is the LAST thing I'd want to do!

Well, there's out and then there's out. I don't know exactly who NFLJockGuy is or exactly what he does. So as far as I know he's just some anonymous person on the Internet.

Well, JOE, when I fly into Philly for the Lions' September 23rd game against the Eagles, you can buy me a beer the night before and then I won't be anonymous to you anymore... the team will be staying at the Loews Hotel downtown on Market.

The "degrees of 'outness'" debate has been discussed ad nauseum on this board in the past, thus I won't start THAT again. It kind of goes with the "big fish in a little pond" or "little fishy in a huge lake" comparison; it's all the point of reference.

By the way, Jim B. has met me a couple times and can attest that I DO exist....

I'm not even convinced of that!

Yes, he does exist and the Lions still suck!

Matt Millen must have naked pictures of the FORD Family.........


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