Nicole Kraft, director of The Ohio State University’s Sports & Society Institute, and veteran sports journalist and Ohio State alumnus Jean-Jacques Taylor have released a new book aimed at helping journalists tell richer, more meaningful stories about sports.

"Storytelling Beyond the Scoreboard: The Art and Craft of Sports Journalism," published by Bloomsbury, combines practical reporting guidance with lessons drawn from Kraft and Taylor’s decades of experience in sports journalism.

The book is designed for journalists at all levels, from students learning the fundamentals of sports reporting to professionals looking to strengthen their storytelling. It examines the skills needed to cover sports in a rapidly changing media environment, including interviewing, reporting, storytelling, social media, ethics, bias and the growing role of artificial intelligence.

At its core is a message reflected in the book’s title: Many of the most compelling sports stories are not about who won or lost.

“Sports give journalists an incredible opportunity to tell stories about people, communities and the issues that shape society,” Kraft said. “Our goal was to give journalists and journalism students the tools to find those stories and tell them in ways that are accurate, engaging and meaningful.”

That approach aligns closely with the mission of the Sports & Society Institute, which brings together research, education and professional development to explore the role sports play in society.

Taylor and Kraft also draw on their own reporting experiences to help readers navigate the practical realities of the profession while developing their individual voices as storytellers.

"Storytelling Beyond the Scoreboard: The Art and Craft of Sports Journalism" is available now from Bloomsbury and other booksellers.