UPDATE: There's no deadline, but finalists will start being decided on Wednesday, July 27. Feel free to submit applications after that, but understand at some point after that our spots will be filled.
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Hello! I'm the editor-in-chief at Mavs Moneyball and we're looking to bring on new contributors for the site. I believe this is a great opportunity to write for the best Mavericks blog on the internet (in my biased view, anyway), whether you want to do it as a hobby or are hoping to gain experience for a sports journalism career.
Before you apply, I'd really recommend you read through this brief Q&A section, which should help you write the best application possible.
What is Mavs Moneyball?
We're a Mavericks fan blog in the SB Nation family of networks. We've existed as a site for nearly 10 years and we've used credentials to cover the team for the past six seasons, including the 2011 NBA Finals. We strive to cover the team professionally while retaining our opinionated and diverse voices as fans. We aim for sharp, smart analysis of the team and its players, while still having fun with our coverage.
A working knowledge of what our site is and how we cover this team will help applicants.
Is it paid?
No, and if that rules you out, I fully understand. Because it's unpaid, we don't have requirements or numbers you must hit. Instead, we mostly operate off individual monthly goals.
Who can apply?
Anyone. We accept applications from and do not discriminate against persons of any age, race, ethnicity or gender.
What if I can't write well?
That's ok! There's a reason we're looking for contributors, not writers, because there are ways for you to contribute to the site that don't necessarily involve writing. If you have video, audio, social media, photoshop or other skills that you think could be beneficial for Mavs Moneyball, we'd love to hear from you.
What specifically are you looking for?
That's the thing: first and foremost, we want to hear how you believe you can help the site. Do you have an idea for a weekly column? Are you strong at writing columns, or analysis, or comparing Maverick players to Pokemon? Do you have any of the skills listed above? We want to hear how you think you can help the site, and we'll go from there.
Of course, I know not everyone will have a great idea. Here are some areas where we could always use help.
- Game coverage: We always need writers to help with previews and recaps. We'll likely ask every new writer to help with these once or twice a month.
- #MISC: This is our shortform section where we post fun moments and highlights from the Mavericks. You'll need to know basic photo manipulation (screenshotting and cropping photos, using Paint or very simple photo editing tools), but if you're already socially inclined, this is a great role for contributors.
- News: There's always news we can post, and sometimes we don't get to enough of it when it happens within the 9-to-5 work day. This is great for people with flexible schedules throughout the day, whether it's a 9-5 job or something else.
Do I have to be a Mavericks fan?
No, although it certainly helps. You'll need to follow the team closely and remember that we are a Mavericks fan site at our core.
How often do I need to contribute?
It depends on the role, but a couple times per month at minimum. Availability will be a small factor when adding new contributors. Letting us know your availability helps us determine how many contributors we'll need to add.
How can I apply?
Hopefully, you read all that information and didn't skip straight here. It really will help you out.
To apply, send us an email at sbnmavsmoneyball@gmail.com with your name, answering the following four questions.
1. Why do you want to contribute to Mavs Moneyball?
2. How do you think you could contribute to Mavs Moneyball? The more specific you can be, the better.
3. What does your availability look like and how often could you contribute?
4. Do you have any examples of your work? (Feel free to include links or attachments.)
If you have questions, you can also send it to that link, and we'll try to get you an answer before you fill everything out.
When will I hear back about my application?
I'm expecting a large number of applicants. I will really, really try to respond with a yes or no to every candidate, but please understand it will take time.
We will likely have open writer calls annually going forward. For those who miss the cut, please consider reapplying next year. For everyone, whether you apply or not, thank you so much for reading the site.