Plainview Teen Talks Sports Online, And On the Air

Like any teen, freshman Brad Wolff spends his spare time chatting with friends on Facebook and on Twitter.  Unlike most teens, his friends include quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Brad is a student by day and a sports journalist by night.  The 14-year old has been writing a sports blog since he was 10, and now hosts a semi-regular internet radio show as well.  Quite a workload to go along with high school math and science.

It doesn't seem like work to Brad.  Sports are his passion and he was inspired to start his blog, The King of Sports, when he thought it would help him meet one of his favorite stars.

"I was watching Pardon the Interruption [on ESPN], and they mentioned that [NBA star] Dirk Nowitzki had been allowing bloggers into the locker room," Wolff said.  "I said to myself if I ever went to Dallas, that I would be allowed in the locker room [to meet him]."

So Brad started blogging, about the Final Four, the NFL, whatever was on his mind.  Four years later he's still going strong, but he does more than simply give the scores and opine on who the Mets should play at second base.

Brad has interviewed scores of famous athletes for his blog.  He's interviewed them on the phone, via email, and in person.  From hall of famers Ralph Kiner and Michael Irvin, to boxing great Oscar De La Hoya and softball flamethrower Jennie Finch, Wolff's collection of interviews rivals that of any veteran sports reporter.

Star athletes are more accessible than ever, as social networking continues to grow.  Brad lands many of his interviews by simply contacting the person directly via Twitter, Facebook, or the athlete's personal web page.

"I find that direct contact is better than going through the [player's] agent and sending 10 emails back and forth and then finally speaking to the athlete," Brad said.

Sports stars are hit with interview requests non-stop, but when the person asking the questions is 14, that stands out above all the rest, increasing the chance of a response.

"I can't stop my age, so I'm not always going to be that little kid standing next to all the reporters from Newsday [as] a unique interviewer," he said.

His most memorable interview so far? Mark Sanchez. Brad says he still chats with the QB, and that the 40-minute interview he conducted was like a conversation between two old friends.

"I felt like I was talking to another kid my age...it was something I was struggling with in interviewing other people, question one, answer, question two, answer, but Mark and my conversation went on and on," Brad said.

Brad decided it was time to take things to the next level.  He asked his Twitter followers if he should start an online radio show.  The response was overwhelming, and now, most Friday nights, Brad hits the airwaves, speaking his mind and taking calls from fans who want to do the same.

"It seems like an easier way to connect with the fans...I get live calls from them on what they want me to speak about and give me ideas on what to write about, and who they want me to interview, " he said.

Brad is still trying to get his first famous guest to call in to the show, but for now he says he's content talking sports with his fellow POBJFK classmates.

"I find out who's listening, a lot of kids I don't talk to in school say 'do you have a sports radio show or something?'  It's sort of surprising to see who actually is listening instead of hiding behind their Facebook," Brad said.

Brad hopes his blog and show is the first step to a career in sports.  Not necessarily in the media, but rather as the general manager of a baseball team.  Putting together a team, analyzing statistics, scouting; the whole process fascinates Brad.

"Being a GM seems like a better opportunity, something you can do for a longer time than playing," he said.  "You use your mind in even as competitive an atmosphere as playing on the field."

So how long does Brad Wolff intend on playing the field of sports media?  He says the original goal remains: to meet Dirk Nowitzki, the star of the Dallas Mavericks.  That would bring Brad full circle, and could prove a fitting end to the 'King of the Sports Blog.'

"I'm not foreshadowing or anything, but possibly ending my blog at the time I met Dirk?" he says.  "I don't know, that's the future."

In the present, you can read or hear Brad Wolff, loud and clear, and in Plainview.

Check out Brad's blog at www.thekingofsportsblog.com, and look for his show at blogtalkradio.com/kingofsportsblog.