Veteran sports journalist and senior producer Rick Saleeby is raising awareness around the growing need for more human-centered storytelling in sports media. Drawing from more than 20 years in broadcast journalism, Saleeby is advocating for coverage that prioritizes people, emotion, and context over constant numbers and highlights.
"Sports aren't just about what happened," Saleeby said. "They're about why it mattered to the people involved. If you miss that, you miss the point."
Recent data supports his view. According to the Pew Research Center, 65% of sports fans say they prefer behind-the-scenes and personal stories, while Nielsen reports that emotion-driven sports features hold viewer attention up to 40% longer than traditional highlight segments. Yet much of today's coverage remains focused on analytics-heavy recaps.
Saleeby points to moments from his own career as proof of impact. At a Giants training camp, he asked a veteran player not about the season ahead, but about the first night he tried to run again after injury. The player described sneaking onto a high school track, struggling through one painful lap, and sitting in the grass afterward, unsure if his career was over.
"That answer told me everything I needed to know about who he was," Saleeby said. "No stat could do that."
He has also seen how small, off-camera moments can define a story. After a high school baseball game, he noticed a silent hug between a pitcher and his father, recently returned from military service. "That five seconds mattered more than the final score," he said.
Saleeby believes this approach isn't just for professionals. He encourages fans, creators, and young journalists to practice storytelling in everyday ways: pay attention to reactions, not just results; ask specific questions that invite real answers; listen longer before responding; and share stories that highlight effort, struggle, and growth.
"You don't need credentials to tell a meaningful story," Saleeby said. "You just need curiosity and respect for the moment."
Saleeby encourages anyone who watches, writes about, or talks about sports to slow down and notice what happens between the plays. Whether sharing a post, having a conversation, or creating content, focus on the human side that often goes unseen.
