Sabres beat writer -- Buffalo News

The Buffalo News is seeking an aggressive and innovative reporter to cover the Buffalo Sabres.

The ideal candidate will love to hunt for breaking news, is committed to new and creative thinking that reflects ambition and enterprise, can build relationships with sources and connect with readers.

Buffalo is a hockey town that routinely is among the top markets nationally in television ratings and knows the game. This is a competitive beat and the candidate has to be able to handle print and digital coverage of breaking news and also be able to deliver analysis and in-depth stories that take the reader inside the team. There also will be opportunities for television and radio appearances.

The candidate also needs to be able to work with colleagues as numerous staffers contribute to Sabres coverage.

A deep knowledge of hockey is a must. NHL coverage experience is preferred.

Among other job requirements:

· Be proficient in social media as a reporting tool and be willing to engage with readers.

· Be able to write quickly, clearly and accurately.

· Understand and embrace a digitally focused mentality.

· Manage time effectively given the multiple responsibilities and travel commitments.

· Use high standards of ethics in reporting and sourcing.

Despite its Rust Belt reputation, Buffalo is one of the best places in the United States. The city is in the midst of a revitalization, young people are arriving to take new economy jobs and warehouses are being rehabbed into great apartments. (More than 100,000 students attend the region’s 23 colleges and universities.) The city has two professional sports teams, a philharmonic, a growing waterfront, 27 theater companies, a burgeoning medical campus and plenty of attitude. Buffalo also has some of the best summer weather in the world and great summer recreation on our two Great Lakes – Erie and Ontario. Not to mention Niagara Falls, Toronto and ski slopes all within a short drive.

Interested candidates should email a resume, a letter outlining how you will help make us better and writing samples that show the diversity of your work to Executive Sports Editor Josh Barnett at jbarnett@buffnews.com.

 

Hi Josh - Do you have any updates on this position? Thanks.

 

You do realize he has like 3 or more open positions, and just had the draft, right?

 

Apologies for the delay in response time here ... We have had a lot of interest in this position and the other three open full-time positions and are continuing to work through the applicants.

We have had initial phone interviews or in-person conversations with reporters locally with about 10 people. We will be inviting some candidates from out of town to Buffalo in the coming weeks, and we are continuing to evaluate candidates because more applications are coming in.

There also are some people who applied for the Sabres position whom we think might be a better fit for our other opportunities so we are evaluating that as well.

Josh

 

This position has been filled.

Happy to welcome Jeff Neiburg, who previously covered the Flyers for the Philadelphia Daily News and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia to our new team.



On a somewhat unrelated note, I tried to respond to every person who applied for this position either via email or phone. If I missed you, I apologize. Please know it was not intentional.