How long have you been working with TSN?

Tekeyah Singh: 6, almost 7 years now. I started at BarDown on the social media side of things and then eventually I ended up where I am now with the partnership with FanDuel doing the broadcasts.

When did you first make the decision to get into sports journalism/broadcasting? What drove you to do so?

TS: I took a very non-traditional route, I didn’t go to school for it exactly. I played a ton of sports growing up but we didn’t watch sports at home really ever until I was in my teens. I was also never taught or told that this could be a job that was possible for me or how I could make it a job. I just remember watching Pam Oliver when I was in University and one day I just became so curious about the ‘how’ (this is why representation is so important!!), and from there I found a way to make loving sports a job.

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

TS: I’d say starting out it was definitely Pam Oliver. Once I got into the industry Erin Andrews was a huge influence - the way she handles herself both on and off the field. The same applies to Kay Adams, and the women I work with now at TSN.

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? 

TS: I could list a whole bunch but I have to give a massive shoutout to Jackie Redmond and Sophia Jurksztowicz here — they took me under their wing and believed in me to work on a project with them, having ZERO prior experience. I had to learn a lot and very quickly to keep up and not only did I learn a lot from them but the work I had to put in myself, the things I had to teach myself has been invaluable to my career then and still now.

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

TS: You know, I have to say it has gotten much better over the past couple of years, at least much better than when I started working in the industry. I know TSN has definitely made it a priority in our coverage and just overall whether it's on broadcast or social media but you can see how much the WNBA is being talked about more, the PWHL is being talked about more - do you know how FUN those games are to go to?! I really am happy to see it’s trending in the right direction but I don’t think we’re THERE yet.

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?

TS: Yeah, our job is very engagement based and I do enjoy engaging with the students that message asking for advice or people that are well-intentioned but you're right - there is that other side and I’ve gotten it all from racist comments, to sexist comments, to people who’ve called me their friends that made fake accounts to bash me (yes I caught them), you learn to ignore it even if some of it can get to you, but the positivity does outweigh the negativity most of the time.

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

TS: Because not everyone thinks the same. It challenges your own way of thinking, a different perspective, a different understanding, a different opinion and by having those diverse voices, more people can feel seen/represented. It’s also reflective of reality — the real world.

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

TS: Well, I think women have been paving the way and pushing for better for a very long time. It was much harder in the past. The fight is still not over but I think we’re in a time now that encourages women to progress and you can see it but again there’s still some way to go.

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

TS: Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think I spent a lot of my younger years thinking I couldn’t do a lot of things or I was too scared to - still can be sometimes if I’m being honest. 

What’s the best part of your job?

TS: My colleagues, the people around me, the people I’ve met along the way. I could list so many names. The support system I have around me is like no other — it is hands down the best part of my job, I don’t think you understand how lucky I feel that I get to work with the powerhouses around me because I’m the type of person that thrives in that kind of environment and off that kind of energy. I’d go as far as to say that I wouldn’t be where I am without the people I work with now or have worked with on my way here. 

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

TS: It means paving the way for other women in Canada, it means equality, it means I have access to choose healthcare, it means that I can dream big and I’m respected. It’s not perfect but I am grateful.