Freelance Journalist

What You’ll Do

Are you a sports-obsessed journalist ready to dominate the youth sports beat? Prep Network is seeking a bulldog reporter/editor to launch a new national media vertical. You will hustle to chase scoops and breaking news with primary-source reporting. You’ll hit the ground running, diving into youth sports culture, NIL, and trends to reach millions of readers. This is a massive opportunity for an early-career crusher to make waves, take pride in shaping a groundbreaking media vertical, and compete with the biggest names in sports media. You will work closely with our in-house partnership team to help position Prep Network as the definitive “Voice of High School and Youth Sports”.

Who We Are

Prep Network is a sports company that connects high school athletes with college coaches. Through our nine brands, we publish over 4,000 articles each month and actively scout talented athletes across the U.S.  We aim to discover and promote promising prospects who aspire to play at the collegiate level. 

In addition to our content, Prep Network is the top event operator in the U.S., hosting 100+ tournaments annually.  We offer a combination of top-tier competitions and extensive media exposure for attending teams.  Our 250+ showcases each year provide a platform for over 10,000+ prospects to compete in front of colleges, scouts, and media outlets. 

We’re pumped to have been named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal three years running, and to land a spot on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Prep Network isn’t your average sports company—we’re all about helping student-athletes succeed and creating an awesome workplace.

Core Responsibilities

• Own and execute the content roadmap for Prep Network’s new national youth sports media vertical
• Pitch, report, write, and publish 1 article per day covering youth sports culture, products, NIL, and trends
• Analyze traffic data to guide future content decisions and maximize performance
• Collaborate with our marketing team to align articles with newsletter, social media, and campaign strategies
• Source and edit visuals, ensuring pieces are visually compelling and shareable
• Track emerging trends in youth and high school sports
• Participate in editorial planning to shape and evolve the brand voice/content strategy

Must-Haves in a Candidate

• Passion for Youth Sports: Whether it’s the products, the athletes, or the storylines, you’re dialed in and eager to elevate what matters to this audience.
• Big Picture Thinking: You understand content is more than writing – it’s about reach, relevance, and brand impact. You want to help shape the direction of a fast-growing vertical.
• Reporting and Storytelling Skills: You know how to pitch, report, and write impactful pieces. You’re just as comfortable chasing a trend story as interviewing an athlete, coach, or founder.
• Growth-Minded: You think about traffic, audience, and timing. You write with the reader in mind and care about results, not just output.
• Digital Fluency: You understand how content travels online, from search to social, and know how to write with digital audiences in mind.
• CMS Proficient: You’ve worked with platforms like WordPress and can handle uploading, formatting, linking, and polishing your pieces for digital publication.
• Strong Visual Instincts: You can quickly spot the right photo, make basic edits, and ensure every story has visual impact.
• Proactive: You don’t wait for assignments—you chase ideas, pitch compelling angles, and run with them.

Nice-to-Haves in a Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Communications
• Connections in grassroots sports, familiarity with AAU/NIL/high school sports scenes
• Experience with SEO tools or traffic analysis
• Familiarity with EOS/Traction, Slack, and Asana

Work Eligibility

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. Only U.S. citizens will be considered for this role at this time.

Benefits and Perks
At Prep Network, we take pride in our culture and commitment to creating an exceptional workplace environment. Here are some of the benefits and perks you can expect when you join our team:

• Vibrant Culture. Prep Network has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work three years running, thanks to our vibrant and inclusive culture. We're passionate about bringing on board curious, self-motivated individuals who work hard and genuinely enjoy their work.
• Autonomy. We trust our team members to excel in their roles. Rather than micromanaging, we provide you with the tools and processes needed for success, allowing you the freedom to bring your role to life and make a meaningful impact.
• Professional Growth. We prioritize your professional development. We actively support and encourage you to invest in your professional and personal growth. 
• Competitive Compensation.  The compensation range is $2,000-$3,000 per month for a minimum of 20 articles.

Join us at Prep Network and discover a workplace where you can thrive, learn, and make a meaningful impact on our journey together.