This month’s Professional Spotlight is Master Tesfatsion – Reporter and Host of Bleacher Report’s Untold Stories. Read about Master and his path to becoming a successful sports journalist!
Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role?
I play a few roles, most notably as the host of Untold Stories. It’s a platform where we invite athletes into the pool hall as they share stories from their careers that they’ve never shared before. It’s been a hit, averaging around 2.5 million views per episode. I also write features, break news and jump on other platforms like IG Live and Twitch at times.
How did you come to decide that this was the right career path for you?
It was a conversation with a teacher my senior year of high school. I liked talking about sports, and he showed me that I could make a career doing this. At the time, I thought I would either join the military or become a comedian because Dave Chappelle walked away from like $50 million. In hindsight, I would’ve been a pretty bad comedian.
Is there a philosophy that drives your career?
It’s simple: do good work. I made sure to study and understand the core principles of journalism first, then I learned how I could apply these core principles and evolve them for a more diverse and inclusive perspective. Because at the end of the day, these principles and ethics were designed by white men for white men. And they haven’t been reimagined. So, to simply rely on those principles and ethics would be a disservice to my perspective as an Eritrean-American, as a first generation American and as a Black man from the South.
What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment?
I think it would be Untold Stories. I envisioned it to be the Rap City (a show that used to be on BET) of sports. And I feel like we were able to execute that. I’m really happy about the direction that its going.
What was your most memorable interview?
Man, I’ve had a lot. I think my most memorable ones are when the subject can let their guard down, and just be themselves. I don’t think I’ve experienced that quite like I did with Saints running back Alvin Kamara. I spent a few days with him, and he was as genuine as they come.
What is one piece of advice you would give someone looking to transition into your line of work?
It’s an extremely difficult profession, but also extremely rewarding. I would say focus on doing the best work you possibly can, while also prioritizing your own personal growth. You can’t have one without the other.
How has the world of sports and sports reporting changed, since the Coronavirus pandemic began?
It’s been a crazy year. I think it’s challenging that you don’t get to see these people, because often times you know at annual events (Super Bowl, All Star, etc.) that you’re going to cross paths with just about everyone and get some time to catch up. I spend a lot of time on my phone – either texting, calling or Facetiming. It can be tiresome though, and I’m still juggling that balance of stepping away and going for a walk to get out the house.
What are your thoughts regarding the NFL’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement and how they have handled these matters in the past?
The NFL refused to support Colin Kaepernick in 2016. Now, they’re suddenly singing a different tune because more of its audience and advertisers are speaking up about it. It feels disingenuous, and it will take more than a reactionary cash grab reversal to make me think otherwise.
What does the future of sports look like post COVID-19?
That’s a good question. I honestly don’t know. I think we won’t know what that looks like until 2021, to be honest. Right now, leagues are just trying to push their way through COVID. And it’s an extremely irresponsible thing to do. I think every league should pause until COVID cases and deaths flatten. Otherwise, you’re putting a lot of people (players, coaches, employees, media) at risk.
Outside of all of your hard work and efforts toward building your brand, what do you do for fun? Hobbies?
I’m a big reader. I wake up every morning reading the latest news. I just started Assata Shakur’s autobiography, which was a recent selection in Zora Mag’s (A Medium publication for Black women, and women of color) book club. I’ve never read it, so I’m excited. I’m also gaming a lot more. I’m only playing FIFA and Call of Duty right now. Add me on PSN: AceBoogie1845 so I can beat yall with Barcelona.