by Patti Mcquillen

Created on: May 27, 2008

Sports journalism's roots developed long before Sports Illustrated and ESPN. Sports writers, although mocked in early days for not being serious writers, now revel in an industry worth billions. From the Internet, newspapers, radio and television to the movies and magazines, content is vast and packed with heart racing photos and videos of games, plays, moments, and victories and losses. Athletes jockey for a place in the news and the cameras always seem to be rolling, and now for the history of sports journalism.

1789IN THE BEGINNING

Horses, which some paleontologists believe may have originally evolved from dinosaurs, may have the right to claim the first glimmers of sports journalism. In 1727, The Racing Calendar offers information about races and their results. In 1791, The General Stud book is added. The site History World, www.historyworld.net explains that the English were curious about the lineage of their horses too.

Boxing is a popular sport in London. Champion Daniel Mendoza writes a book about the sport. It is called The Art of Boxing. Mendoza goes on to lose the title from John Jackson, known as Gentleman Jack. According to the site, his name "is more for the circle of friends than his fighting style."

From these times, the publications for men told of great battles between men and if they fought for fun, exercise or settling a wager. Even back then, the details involving blood, bruises and broken bones excited men. The sport gained in popularity after readers caught on to the idea of beating someone without getting in trouble. Women were not allowed in any sports establishment in London, and most had no desire to change this rule.

In the 1800s, the idea of basketball is started and other sports follow. The times of our country demanded attention be placed on work and home, not recreational activities. In the early part of the 1900s, America dealt with the full impact of the Industrial Revolution and World War l. The times preceding the First World War brought a new life to the game of golf, which has its early origins in Scotland. About.com explains the Scots claim they invented the game; however, there is some speculation that they may have evolved it instead.

1900sEarly Days

Golf is a popular game and has several magazines devoted to it. This includes The American Golfer. Published by Conde Nast, it was founded in the early half of the 1900s. Its covers have featured golf greats, including Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen and Byron Nelson. This information

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