More Than a Game—It’s a Show
When people think about sports, they usually think of scores, stats, and star players. But for those of us who’ve worked behind the scenes in sports broadcasting, we know there’s another element that shapes how we experience the game—music. Whether it’s the pounding bass of a pregame pump-up song or the emotional swell of a slow-motion highlight reel, music has the power to turn a simple moment into something unforgettable.
I’ve spent over two decades in broadcast journalism, most of it in the sports world. I’ve seen how the right soundtrack can elevate an average game to a dramatic spectacle. And I’ve seen how the wrong music—or no music at all—can leave a moment feeling flat. If you ask me, the soundtrack is just as important as the camera angles and commentary. It’s the heartbeat of the broadcast.
Growing Up with Themes That Stuck
Growing up on Long Island, I was always tuned into the rhythms of sports. But it wasn’t just the games that stuck with me—it was the sound of them. I remember the first time I heard “Enter Sandman” blast through Yankee Stadium when Mariano Rivera came out of the bullpen. That wasn’t just a song. It was a message. The game was over. The closer had arrived.
And then there was WWE. As a lifelong fan, I always paid close attention to the entrance music. That’s where the storytelling began. The glass shattering before Stone Cold Steve Austin hit the ring? Iconic. The crowd didn’t wait to see who it was—they heard the music and reacted instantly. That kind of emotional connection between a song and a moment was something I carried with me into my career.
When I started producing sports content, I leaned on that understanding. I knew that music wasn’t background noise. It was a tool—a way to guide the audience’s feelings, to set the tone, to build suspense or deliver a payoff.
Setting the Tone, Scene by Scene
In the edit room, music becomes a storytelling device. You might not notice it if it’s done right—but believe me, it’s always there doing its job. Think about the start of a big playoff game. The pregame package usually includes some sweeping music underneath dramatic narration. We cut to players walking in slow motion, locker room prep, intense focus. Without the music, that sequence loses its punch. With the right music, it makes your heart race—even if you don’t root for either team.
The same goes for postgame highlights. When I’m producing a victory montage or a retrospective piece, I don’t start with the footage—I start with the music. The tempo, the mood, the build—these all guide how the visuals are paced and how the story unfolds. And when we get it right, viewers feel it. They don’t just see the win—they feel the energy, the emotion, the triumph.
That’s the magic of a great soundtrack. It doesn’t just play behind the action—it becomes part of the action.
The Sound of the Crowd, the Voice of the City
Music doesn’t always come from us, either. Sometimes it comes from the fans. Every city has its own soundtrack. In New York, we’ve got the organ at Yankee Stadium and the gritty hip-hop that plays before a Knicks game. In Philly, it’s “Fly, Eagles Fly.” In Chicago, it’s “Go Cubs Go.” These aren’t just songs—they’re anthems. They belong to the fans, and they’re woven into the identity of the team.
As a producer, capturing that local sound is part of telling the full story. You want to bring the viewer into that world, to let them feel what it’s like to be in the building. Sometimes that means capturing a chant, a drumline, or a DJ set that turns a game into a party.
Music creates community. It gives fans a common voice, whether they’re at the stadium or watching from home. And when we reflect that sound back to them on screen, it deepens the connection.
The Right Track at the Right Time
One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that timing matters just as much as selection. You can have the perfect song, but if it hits too early—or too late—it won’t land. The best musical moments in sports happen when the emotion on the screen matches the feeling in the music. That’s when goosebumps happen.
I’ve had moments in post-production where we’ve gone through 10 or 15 tracks trying to find “the one.” It’s frustrating, but when you get it right, you know immediately. Everything clicks. The visuals breathe, the pacing flows, and the story comes to life.
And in live broadcasts, you’ve got just seconds to make that call. That’s where experience comes in. You have to read the room, feel the energy, and trust your instincts. The music can’t overshadow the moment, but it can highlight it.
Why It Still Matters
With all the changes in how people consume sports—streaming, social media, short clips—the fundamentals still matter. Music still plays a key role in how fans experience and remember moments. From pregame hype videos to halftime montages and end-of-season tributes, the soundtrack helps us make sense of the highs and lows.
As someone who’s always believed in the emotional power of storytelling, I think music is one of the most underappreciated tools we have. It helps us feel the weight of a loss and the joy of a win. It connects us to the players, to each other, and to the legacy of the game.
So next time you watch a big moment in sports, listen closely. Behind the cheers, behind the commentary, there’s a beat that’s pushing everything forward. That’s the soundtrack—and it’s telling you how to feel.