How long have you been working in sports broadcasting?

Nikki Reyes: I’ve been working in television for over 20 years but strictly in sports for about 14. It’s been a circuitous journey to say the least from working in the Philippines, Las Vegas, Boston and Toronto but each step has helped prepare me for the next adventure.

When did you first make the decision to get into this line of work? What drove you to do so?

NR: I decided when I was 12 years old that I wanted to meet my hero at the time, Michael Jordan, and the only way to make it happen was to become a sports reporter. The goal eventually changed…but my mind was already made up to pursue a career in broadcasting, and here we are!

(I did eventually meet Jordan on a red carpet at NBA All Star weekend and managed to squeeze out one question as he walked by. Definitely anticlimactic but it happened!)

Is there a particular journalist that has influenced you in your career?

NR: There isn’t one journalist in particular that has influenced my career, but there have been people who I’ve met or watched and learned from along the way, and adapted a technique to fit my style.  I will say, the likes of Connie Chung and here in Toronto, Hazel Mae, played a huge role in inspiring and motivating me.  As a Filipino-Canadian, seeing them on TV made me believe that I too could make it.

Can you tell me about the mentors, coaches and champions you've had in your corner as you've progressed in your career? Can you talk about their importance? 

NR: I’ve been fortunate to have great people in my corner that have helped me along the way…too many to name, really.  There’s no way I would’ve been able to progress in my career without help along the way, but I’m most grateful for the support of my parents.  They’ve been by my side every step and through every cockamamie shenanigan along the way and I couldn’t have done it without them.

What are your thoughts on how the media currently covers women’s sports?

NR: I think the media has done a better job as of late, but that’s not saying much; something is better than the nothing women’s sports have had to deal with for so long.  With that being said, it’s not just the media’s responsibility to make sure women’s sports make it on TV or radio or whatever the medium is.  An entire ecosystem needs to be in lock step to make it happen. From the grassroots level having young girls play sports, to investors, to fan support.  We’re finally seeing the tide turn and there’s so much more room to grow,but it is exciting to see.

With your job, sometimes the access viewers and fans have with you can be very rewarding but also very damaging; how do you take care of yourself?

NR: My self care begins and ends with steadfast belief in who I am and what I’m about and always involves limiting time on devices, being in nature, training Muay Thai, and a jumbo glass of wine.

In your words, why is it so important to have diverse voices and viewpoints in media? 

NR: Would you ever go to a restaurant that served only one thing all the time?  Probably not.  Even if you don’t love everything on a menu, isn’t variety nice?

It’s the same thing with having diverse voices and viewpoints in media, and really, every industry across the board. I truly believe that varying cultures and worldviews areparamount to the diversification of thoughts, opinions, and expression. Without it you’re stuck in an echo chamber of singular, regurgitated musings.  

Has your view of what Women’s history means now, compared to what it meant in the past, changed? 

NR: It’s changed in the sense that now more than ever, I’m conscious and intentional with actively doing my part to make a difference in any way possible.

What advice would you give to your younger self when you first started? 

NR: 1. Don’t take yourself so seriously. It’s television.  You’re not saving lives. 2. Create boundaries.  As much as you want to, you can’t say yes to everything and everyone. 3. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and the process…the destination isn’t what it’s all about. While working at the national level is an accomplishment to celebrate, I’ve truly enjoyed every step, every odd job in between, and every person I’ve met along the way.

What’s the best part of your job?

NR: The people!  No one tells you when you’re on the come up that there’s a ton of sacrifices and concessions you have to make working in this industry…birthdays, holidays, nights, weekends.  I’ve missed my fair share of milestones.  Obviously no one is forcing me to work in it, but it can take its toll so being surrounded by amazing and talented people while doing what you love makes it worthwhile.

What does being a woman here in Canada mean to you?

NR: It means that I’m free to be who I want, do what I want, love whomever I want and do so without fear of repercussions or persecution.  Freedom is never free, but I think we have it pretty damn good in Canada.