Pitches wanted (sports integrity, governance) (worldwide) | ~$700 to $1,150 per article
Added 2025-07-30 03:11:55 +0000 UTCCOMPANY/PUBLICATION: PLAY THE GAME
Deadline: 4 September 2025
Play the Game has launched an open call inviting journalists, writers, and investigative reporters worldwide to submit pitches for articles or longer investigations into matters of sports integrity and governance. Rates depend on the extent of the research involved and the length of the article. Send us your pitch before 4 September!
OPEN CALL 2025 FOR JOURNALISTIC ARTICLES AND INVESTIGATIONS ON SPORTS INTEGRITY AND GOVERNANCE
Play the Game is launching its second open call for journalists, writers, and investigative reporters to submit pitches for individual articles or longer investigations into matters of sports integrity and governance.
Journalism has always played an important role in Play the Game's efforts to identify problems within sports governance and challenge the wider sports community to act on them.
Now, Play the Game wants to spend around 10,000 euros from a grant from the Danish government to promote good governance in sport on an open call for pitches that can open up new areas within sports integrity and governance to public scrutiny.
We intend to spend the sum on more than one project, and we encourage everyone to apply – also if you have not written for us before.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Play the Game publishes content to a global audience united in a strong interest in the links between sport and society. We focus on how sport is governed, including, but not limited to, areas such as corruption in sport, match-fixing, doping, athletes' rights, human rights, abuse, geopolitics, and ethics.
We want original content that provides new information, and if your proposed story takes its starting point in a local case, you should approach it from a perspective that is also interesting for readers in other parts of the world.
We publish in English and expect high journalistic standards. All content is edited in collaboration with the author.
Learn more on our website, where you can find examples of articles and special investigations.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS
Please send your pitch to us at info@playthegame.org on or before Thursday 4 September 2025 using the template below, which you can copy into a mail or a document. We treat all pitches with confidentiality.
Short description of the idea
Explain the relevance of the project/article for Play the Game
What type of research and sources do you plan to draw on? (e.g., own desk research, interviews, reports)
Which key sources do you plan to include?
Expected output (number of articles, length)
All articles must be submitted before the end of March 2026, but we would like to publish sooner if possible. If you are successful in obtaining a grant, when will you be able to submit your article/project (no. of weeks after approval)?
Please provide a brief description of yourself and a link to one or more published samples of your work.
CONFIDENTIAL NOTE: Reports indicate that this opportunity will pay "in the range of €600-€1,000, and editors will evaluate each pitch and story on a case-by-case basis and aim to have a clear and open dialogue with the journalist before moving forward with an assignment." It is recommended that you discuss the rate(s) with the editor upon the acceptance of your pitch.
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CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):
Questions/submissions: info@playthegame.org
Website: https://www.playthegame.org/
TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:
Learn more about the publication: Play the Game is an international initiative and publication platform that focuses on ethics, governance, and transparency in global sport. It covers topics such as corruption, athlete rights, media freedom, and institutional accountability through essays, investigative reporting, and analysis. The publication promotes democratic dialogue and accountability in sport by amplifying critical perspectives and supporting high-integrity reporting. More information here.
Read through a selection of recent articles/stories on its website.
Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook and at SuccessfulPitches.com.
Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a few lines highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits; and (3) links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.
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