By Holly Martin
Ky Carlin is living his dream as a Philadelphia 76ers beat writer and senior editor of the Sixers Wire for USA Today.
On game day, Carlin starts his morning at Sixers practice facility in Camden, writing content and taking notes. From then on, Carlin is immersed in continuous writing, 76ers press conferences, games and interviews.
From morning until night, Carlin creates over a dozen articles and prepares to do it all over again the next day. Though the days are long, Carlin wouldn’t have it any other way.
“They’re not easy days,” says Carlin. “It’s one of those things where you get a lot out of it, and you can create as much content as you can and get on the same page. It’s a lot of fun.”
Carlin, 30, moved to South Jersey after growing up in Garden City, Mich. He attended Holy Spirit High School and graduated from Stockton University with a degree in communications. He credits his work ethic and strong mindset as the keys to his success.
“Only the strong are going to survive, because you’re not just going to the game and going home. There’s stuff you have to do before, during and after the game that you have to get done. It’s nonnegotiable,” says Carlin.
He needs a strong work ethic to keep up with the demanding job of sports journalism. Carlin has followed the team all over the United States and even Canada. His content is featured on USA Today’s platforms, local radio and FOX-29’s “Phantastic Sports Show.”
One day in Garden City in 2003, he watched the Detroit Pistons on TV and knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. If he couldn’t be a basketball player himself, he wanted to be involved with the NBA covering the game he loves the most.
“My mom randomly turned on the TV and said, “Ky, the Pistons are on,” reminisced Carlin. “I remember seeing this guy, Ben Wallace, send a Tracy McGrady shot into the fifth row and I was like, okay, this is pretty cool!”
His career has blossomed from a content writer to senior editor with the USA Today staff, where he works with the sports writing team. His work has enabled him to cover the 76ers for more than seven seasons.
“It’s a blessing to be able to walk in there every day,” says Carlin. “I can’t put into words how exciting it is on an everyday basis.”
On the next game day, you’ll see Carlin with his laptop, headphones and voice recorder working the long hours to get as many articles out as he can. With the support of his family, Carlin is grateful for the opportunity to work a job that feels like a dream.
“If it wasn’t for my mom continuing to push me, even in my lowest moment no matter what, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” says Carlin.
Carlin credits his mom for pushing him to achieve his dreams, and she will always be his number one fan.
You can read Carlin’s articles on the USA Today website: https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/
Holly Martin has been working in media since 2012. She has worked as a photographer and videographer throughout her high school and college career. Holly is a producer for WOND radio as well as fill in DJ for 103.7 WMGM Rocks. She loves being a concert photographer and working as event staff. She has worked as a reporter for Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods and submitted Editorials to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has done multiple multimedia articles for Temple as well as Shore Local Newsmagazine. Her portfolio website is hollyamartin.com
