#MediaMonday – Jose M. Romero
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Jose M. Romero, sports reporter at the Arizona Republic and AZ Central.
How did you get your start in the media?
Always dreamed of a career in sports, even from a very young age. I had a plan to be a journalism major and made the most of all the opportunities I earned. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper and worked on cable access TV news show in college.
Tell us a little about your journey?
Fired from first small market TV news job, but boss said I was a great writer. After a year or so contemplating a switch to teaching, got a chance to write for a bilingual paper in Portland, Ore. Turned that into a job at the Graphic, a small-town paper in Newberg, Ore. Landed an internship with the Seattle Times family of papers and worked in Walla Walla, Wash., Yakima, Wash., before arriving in Seattle in May 1999.
Spent almost 11 years at the Seattle Times. Covered every team and every sport but seven seasons on NFL Seahawks beat and one as Seattle Sounders beat writer. Left the paper to get married and moved to Phoenix in 2010. I freelanced for the Associated Press for 10 years and scraped together an income as a freelance sportswriter. Other side gigs included being an usher at State Farm Stadium for 2010 Cardinals, writing broadcast scripts and editing audio soundbites and in 2020 when COVID arrived, three months at Costco.
In August 2020 I returned to full-time work with a job covering the Arizona Coyotes for the Republic. After two seasons, moved over to the Cardinals.
Tell us about your outlet and types of story pitches you want?
The Arizona Republic is the leading local news site (and statewide) for Arizona. Hundreds of thousands of page views on azcentral.com (website) daily. I like pitches that offer unique opportunities for interviews or activities that I think would interest sports fans. Things that are fun, people that fans remember or can relate to. Across all sports. My favorites are football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey and boxing but I am open to really anything.
Where did you grow up?
Tigard, Oregon just outside of Portland.
Favorite type of music?
R&B and hip hop from the 80s and early 90s, Tejano, Latin jazz, Bob Marley.
Favorite color?
Blue
Favorite TV shows or movies?
Too many to mention.
Favorite local restaurants or other haunts?
Oregano’s, Babbo’s Italian Eatery, Mexican food, Salad & Go.
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you?
- Big James Bond fan, seen every movie multiple times.
- I dream of covering a FIFA World Cup some day (already have covered the Women’s World Cup!) as well as a World Series.
- I have an amazing family that I am very proud of and they are the most important part of my life.
Contact Email: jose.romero@gannett.com
Social media handles: Twitter @RomeroJoseM
