The 33rd Team made headlines over the weekend when several of its writers announced on X that they had been let go. As more departures were shared publicly, it was reported that the company was restructuring, shifting its focus away from written content and prioritizing video, audio, and its consulting business.
For aspiring and current sports media professionals, this shift isn’t just something to watch—it’s something to adapt to. The days of making a living strictly as a writer are fading, and those looking to thrive in the industry must evolve with the times.
Why Sports Media Is Moving Away from Written Content
Long-form written content once dominated the sports media landscape, but today, fewer companies prioritize it as a core part of their business model due to changing consumer habits and financial realities.
Sports fans increasingly consume content on their phones through social media, YouTube, and podcasts rather than traditional websites. Scrolling through a quick-hitting video or listening to an engaging podcast on the go has become more appealing than sitting down to read an article. While deep analysis still has a place, there is a much stronger demand for fast, digestible content.
From a business perspective, video and audio content offer significantly more monetization opportunities than written articles. YouTube’s ad revenue, sponsorship integrations in podcasts, and paid partnerships on social media all generate higher returns compared to traditional display advertising or subscription-based written content. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have also incentivized shorter-form video content, further diminishing the role of traditional sports writing.
Most social media platforms prioritize video in their algorithms, leading to greater reach and engagement compared to text-based posts or article links. This has forced media companies to adapt their strategies, making video-first content a necessity rather than an option. If a platform is pushing video, brands will follow—because that’s where the audience is.
How Sports Media Professionals Can Adapt to This Industry Shift
With the industry rapidly changing, sports media professionals—especially those who have primarily been writers—need to expand their skill sets to remain competitive. Learning basic video production and editing is becoming essential, as platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram prioritize short-form video content. You don’t need to be a professional videographer, but understanding how to shoot, edit, and format content for different platforms can make a significant difference. Tools like CapCut, Adobe Premiere, and even native editing features in social media apps make it easier than ever to create compelling content.
Beyond video production, developing an on-air presence is also becoming a necessity. Whether it’s appearing on camera, hosting a podcast, or providing voiceovers, media professionals must be comfortable engaging with audiences in different formats. But this shift doesn’t mean abandoning writing altogether—it means learning how to repurpose it. A well-researched article can be transformed into short-form video clips, podcast discussions, Instagram carousels, or even X (Twitter) threads, maximizing reach and engagement across multiple platforms. Those who can adapt their storytelling for different mediums will have a significant advantage.
Writers who build their own audiences and establish a personal brand beyond just written content will also open up more career opportunities. Relying solely on media companies to provide a platform is becoming riskier, as many continue shifting resources toward video and audio. By diversifying their skill set and embracing multimedia storytelling, sports media professionals can future-proof their careers in an evolving industry.
The Future of Sports Media Belongs to Multimedia Storytellers
The 33rd Team’s decision to considerably cut back its writing staff isn’t an anomaly—it’s part of an industry-wide transition that sports media professionals must acknowledge. While written content will always have a place, those who want to thrive in the industry need to embrace video, audio, and multi-platform storytelling.
The shift is already happening. The only question is: Will you evolve with it?
