JOINING
THE BWAA
The Boxing Writers Association of America's purpose is to foster the highest professional and ethical standards in boxing journalism, print and electronic, and to promote better working conditions for those who cover the sport. Qualified writers interested in joining are encouraged to answer the questionnaire below and send answers with requested story links to Don Steinberg at steinberg@bwaa.org.
The BWAA is an organization of professional journalists. We're not for hobbyists and passionate fans, even those who have found online outlets that are willing to run their writing. A significant number of applicants are not accepted for membership. This is not a matter of personalities. It reflects the same need for standards that is maintained by other professional writers' organizations, such as the Baseball Writers Association of America.
The seven-member BWAA committee that votes on membership applications requires all applicants to show a substantial body of work relating to boxing. We look for articles that are full journalistic work; not short fight reports, lists, personal analyses, or Q&A pieces. The act of writing a hundred pieces about boxing does not necessarily qualify an applicant for membership.
Qualified applicants fit into two categories: full and "auxiliary" membership. Full members have privileges including voting in BWAA elections and voting for nominees to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Auxiliary members are those who have achieved a certain level of accomplishment but have not yet amassed a body of work in terms of quality and quantity that warrants full voting privileges. An auxiliary member can apply for reconsideration of his or her classification after writing more extensively. In the past, the BWAA granted auxiliary membership to some non-writers affiliated with the sport, but that policy has changed. Journnalistic writing (not editing, video, radio, etc.) is a prerequisite.
If you would like to apply, please answer the following questions in your e-mail:
(1) For whom do you write about boxing? You can include print and online journalism as well as books.
(2) How long have you been writing about boxing?
(3) Approximately how many by-lined articles have you written about boxing?
(4) How often, if at all, do you cover fights live at ringside?
(5) What is your “day” job?
(6) Have any of your fight-related expenses (for example, hotel and travel) been subsidized by a promoter, sanctioning body, manager, or other member of the boxing community other than a publication that you have written for? If the answer is "yes," please explain.
(7) Are there any current BWAA members whom you can list as references; and if so, whom?
(8) Are there any other factors that should be weighed in considering your application?
(9) Also, if you wish to apply, please submit links to a half-dozen recent articles about boxing that you’re proud of having written. These links should represent your best work.
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