South Florida's Best and Brightest
Originally published: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 (12:01:00 a.m. ET)
WSVN Sports Director Steve Shapiro. (Photo courtesy of Channel 7/WSVN).
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Steve Shapiro
Unarguably the market's preeminent sportscaster, Steve Shapiro has been at the helm at WSVN (FOX/Channel 7) for the last eight years.
He first joined the station as a sports reporter and anchor in 1997.
A native of Boston, the meticulously attired, quick-witted Shapiro did his undergrad work at Tufts, then earned a master's degree from neighboring Boston University.
He began his career in Roanoke, Va., in 1980, and has made stops along the way in Cincinnati, Albany, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn.
Aside from injecting both humor and wit into his reports,
Shapiro adds objectivity, which most of his
brethren in the South Florida market simply are
incapable of achieving because of their ties to
the Miami Dolphins.
You can catch Shapiro weekdays
at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m., as well as
on the lively, fast-paced "Lexus Sports Xtra" program, a
30-minute wrap-up
show featuring über-agent Drew Rosenhaus and
a bevy of local professional ballplayers in-studio,
every Sunday at 11:30 p.m.
Q: What advice would you give youngsters who want to embark on a career in your industry?
A: Get a college degree in broadcasting. While you're in college, do an internship at a television or radio station. Learn how to write for broadcast and make a professional résumé reel at the station.
Q: Of what professional accomplishment are you most proud?
A: Survival. I've been in the television broadcast business for 31 years. Most people with whom I started are gone.
Q: What's the most challenging part about your work?
A: Deadlines. I do four live sportcasts every day. We have to show up no matter what, without delay. Gotta be ready even you're not ready.
Q: What did you envision doing for a living when you were growing up?
A: Always wanted to be in sports. I played football and baseball. I knew I wasn't good enough to keep playing. Sportscasting is the next best thing.
Q: In ten years' time, I will be _________________.
A: I'll be retired.
Q: Who are/were your professional role models and why?
A: I always liked local sportscasters on the news more than national guys or play-by-play guys. They are the guys around the country who lasted because they were creative and good writers. One of them once told me, "Once you think you've got it made, that's when you get beat."
Q: If you could do anything else in the world for a living, what would it be?
A: I think being a trial lawyer would be exciting. That, or a Nazi hunter.
Q: What's the best part about your job?
A: Being in the know before everyone else, for sure. The other thing is getting to work at what I most like to do when I'm not working. Sports is my greatest form of entertainment.
Q: What's the worst part about your job?
A: Late nights and no holidays. The news goes on 365 days.
Q: What is your biggest professional regret?
A: I don't live with regret. I've had some professional envy; people not as talented that were in the right place or [who] work for more employee-friendly companies.
Q: What's your favorite South Florida charity?
A: The Make-A-Wish Foundation is one. I donate mostly to the American Cancer Society.