Ryan Sampson — New York Post, Sports Media Production & What Hiring Managers Actually Look For
Ryan Sampson on the ESPN NFL GameDay set with Rex Ryan. That’s what seven years at ESPN looks like. Photo Credit: Ryan Sampson. Used with permission.
Ryan Sampson didn’t have a career plan when he started at Ashland University. A few years later he was cutting highlights overnight at ESPN and building a career in sports media from the ground up. Today he’s Executive Producer for Sports at the New York Post.
In this episode Ryan breaks down the grind that got him there, why he left ESPN after seven years, and the one skill he says is non-negotiable for anyone trying to break into this business today.
Why It Matters
Ryan’s career didn’t move in a straight line, and he’s the first to say so. ESPN gave him the reps. The New York Post gave him the leadership role. The thread connecting both was willingness to learn the unglamorous skill nobody wants to talk about: editing. For anyone chasing a media career, that’s the lesson worth sitting with.
About This Guest
Ryan Sampson is the Executive Producer for Sports at the New York Post, where he leads teams producing original video content and digital sports storytelling. Before the Post he spent seven years at ESPN, including work on NFL Countdown, where he cut highlights, supported on-air talent, and helped shape weekly football coverage. He studied journalism and digital media at Ashland University and digital and interactive media at Elon University, and brings a strong hiring-manager perspective on what skills actually matter for aspiring media producers.
Ryan’s Bonafides
“
If you can’t edit in this current modern-day digital world that we live in, because everyone needs to be an editor, you have no chance of working in this business.
”— RYAN SAMPSON, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF MULTIMEDIA, NEW YORK POSTHear This Episode
Episode Timestamps
Your ZoomPod — Exit Ticket
After this episode, you'll know:
- Why editing is the one non-negotiable skill in modern media production
- How Ryan built a role for himself at ESPN that didn’t exist before he created it
- What it actually took to leave a steady job for better long-term growth and balance
- What hiring managers at major outlets look for beyond a resume
Gear & Affiliate Links
Trick out your kit, and your wardrobe. Both Adorama and SmallRig are having sales right now. Or wear your photography mood, grab a ZWOF set-wear tee shirt. If you use a ZWOF link, we may earn a small commission that doesn’t increase the price of your item.
Ryan built his career by mastering the skill nobody wanted to do. That willingness to do the unglamorous work is what gets you in the room.
Stop Shooting From the Stands →BUILD NOTE: Full transcript pending paste-in from Buzzsprout.
More From Ryan
