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Breaking Barriers in Sports Journalism With Emily Kaplan

Emily Kaplan is a prominent NHL reporter for ESPN, where she provides in-depth coverage, breaking news, and insightful sideline reporting on the league and its players. She is known for her work at Sports Illustrated as one of its youngest staff writers, her coverage of major hockey events, and for being recognized as one of the leading women in sports journalism. Emily is passionate about telling compelling human stories in sports, drawing on her early experiences at Penn State and mentorships with legendary journalists like Peter King. Her unique perspective as a woman in a male-dominated field, along with her focus on authenticity and relationship-building, brings fresh, relatable narratives to the world of hockey journalism.

 

 

 

 

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [0:36] How Emily Kaplan found her passion for sports journalism  
  • [1:39] The “pinch me” moments of landing at Sports Illustrated  
  • [3:43] How mentorship and connections shape a media career  
  • [5:18] What challenges women face in sports reporting  
  • [6:37] The secret to building trust with superstar athletes  
  • [9:11] Tips on breaking stories and earning trusted sources 
  • [11:00] How in-depth research creates compelling injury reports  
  • [12:43] Strategies for turning road trips into home on the go  
  • [14:24] How new tournaments drive excitement and grow hockey’s reach  
  • [23:24] Why unique details and follow-up questions elevate storytelling

 

In this episode…

Curious how a passionate writer became one of hockey’s most trusted voices on national TV? Imagine breaking into locker rooms, earning the trust of star athletes, and reporting the inside scoop on trades — all while overcoming the challenges of being an outsider in a traditionally male-dominated field. What does it really take to rise through the ranks of sports journalism and bring fans closer to the action?

 

ESPN sports journalist Emily Kaplan shares how she navigated these hurdles, starting with a childhood dream that evolved through relentless pursuit of opportunities at Penn State, mentorships with sports journalism legends like Peter King, and honing her craft at Sports Illustrated. Emily explains how authenticity, humility, and relationship-building have been central to earning respect and access in NFL and NHL locker rooms. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling, trustworthiness, and never assuming or projecting details when reporting breaking news — especially in a sport like hockey, where information can be closely guarded. Emily also discusses how the personalities and rivalries within hockey create compelling narratives, and how she adapts her coverage to suit different teams and evolving storylines. Her approach, rooted in preparation and genuine curiosity, results in richer stories and deeper engagement with both players and fans.

In this episode of Beyond the Game with Hal, host Hal Steinberg talks with Emily Kaplan about breaking barriers and building trust in sports journalism. Emily shares how fact-based training, asking deeper questions, and portraying athletes as people have shaped her career. They also discuss reputation, balancing reporting with relationships, and the changing sports media landscape, ending with a fun rapid-fire Q&A.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Quotable moments:

  • “I knew I wanted to be a sports journalist since I was like 6 or 7 and really put my head down to do it.”
  • “My biggest thing is authenticity and never pretending I know what it’s like to play; I approach it with humility and questions.”
  • “All you really have is your reputation. I want mine to be someone who comes in with a fair and honest mindset.”
  • “There’s nothing more damning to your reputation than getting something wrong, especially if it’s about somebody’s career.”
  • “Viewers really appreciate comfortability on air — you build that by actually liking the people you work with.”

 

Action Steps:

  1. Build authentic relationships: Seek mentorship and connect with peers to gain guidance, insider knowledge, and trust.
  2. Protect integrity: Verify facts and avoid assumptions to maintain credibility and strong reputations.
  3. Stay humble and curious: Admit what you don’t know and approach interactions with genuine interest.
  4. Prepare and adapt: Do your homework and stay flexible to thrive in changing environments.
  5. Ask deeper questions: Use follow-ups and small details to create richer stories and stronger trust.

 

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