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Arash Markazi, Writer
Arash MarkaziWe're all envious of Arash Markazi, 25, writer for Sports Illustrated. His job title should be renamed to 'dream job'. On any given day, his job requires him to dine with Wayne Gretsky, interview athletes like Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush, and sit courtside at the most anticipated games of the year. And that's not all. Markazi has his own dedicated column for the Sports Illustrated. Readers around the world anxiously await for his column in order to get a peek into his world of Sports and analysis. Younger than the average journalist in any magazine, Markazi is able to provide his readers with a fresh, young perspective in his world of journalism. Learn more about what makes Markazi successful and what he has in store for the future as we feature this young journalist in this week's Young & Professional profile.
Company
Sports Illustrated
Website
www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Name
Arash Markazi, 25, Writer
Hometown
Los Angeles, California
Current Residence
New York City, New York
Education
University of Southern California, Print Journalism, 2004
Work experience
SLAM, King, Striker, Playboy, Los Angeles Times, Daily News and Associated Press
Ethnicity
Iranian-American
About the Company
Sports Illustrated is the most popular weekly American sports magazine with over 3 million subscribers and a readership of over 25 million adults each week. Over the past 50 years, SI has become one of the most respected sports brands in the world.
What are your responsibilities?
As a writer I work on a variety of assignments from one week to the next, whether it’s covering a Lakers game in Los Angeles, the NFL Draft in New York or even WrestleMania in Chicago. Since I also do a weekly column for SI.com, I have the opportunity to cover a wide-range of events and figures that I may not have the opportunity to if I was confined to one particular beat on the magazine.
Most notable milestones
Last year I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix, Ronaldo in Los Angeles, Amare Stoudemire in San Diego and Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in New York. The unfettered access I got with these athletes allowed me to write some unique stories that apparently grabbed the attention of the Los Angeles Times as they named me one of their ‘Faces to Watch’ in 2006 along with guys like Matisyahu and Louis C.K. I’m still not sure how that happened.
What's your niche?
I think my age has actually been more of a help than a hindrance to me so far in my career. I have been able to relate to some of the top athletes I’ve covered because many of them are so close to my age and I can connect with them on a personal level because we have so many things in common, well, except, of course, for our annual salaries. Writing about partying at a club with Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in New York after the Heisman Trophy presentation might not be classic journalism but it’s something my peers are certainly interested in.
What's in store for the future?
Who knows what the future holds. I know it’s a cliché thing to say, but I try to take life one day at a time and appreciate every new assignment as it comes. So far that philosophy has worked for me as I have been fortunate enough to go to some amazing events across the country and meet some fascinating people, which is all any journalist could ask for. I have been asked to do a few things on TV and radio recently, so that might be something new I might try, but it’s certainly not my goal. I’m a writer at heart and I am far more comfortable in front of a computer than a microphone.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
Anyone who has an interesting story to tell, which is really anybody and everybody. I love sitting down and talking with people and finding out their story and imaging how I would weave it into a story. Sometimes I have to remind myself to turn off that journalist switch in the back of my head when I’m talking to someone for the first time. Small talk for me can sometimes turn into an interrogation.
Unexpected learnings along the way
I’ve learned that things happen for a reason and don’t ever stress over the small stuff and things you can’t change. It’s easier said than done, but if you really believe it and practice that belief, you will save yourself so much unneeded stress.
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Best way to stay ahead
Always present yourself with new challenges and think big. I might be content with what I’m doing now, but I’m always thinking of ways to get better and grow not only as a professional but as a person as well.
Guiding principle in life
Happiness. As long as I’m happy with doing what I’m doing than I’m going to continue doing it. Once my job becomes just that, a job, and not a passion, that’s when I know I need to find a new profession.
Yardstick of success
I’m my own worst critic, so if I think a story I did turned out well, that’s sort of my yardstick of success. Of course it’s also nice when your editors or peers also think you did a good job.
Goal yet to be achieved
Oh, there’s so many. I’ve only been at SI two years, but the goal of any writer there is to have a cover story so that’s one goal. I have a few covers stories in other magazines like Sports Illustrated on Campus, Striker and Playboy, but getting one in SI would be a dream come true.
Best practical advice
Don’t complain. It’s so easy to come to work and complain about the grunt work or missed opportunities, but no one likes to hear a whiner. It’s important to appreciate where you’re at and concentrate and what you can do next rather than continue to harp on the past.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
My parents have been so supportive of me since I began writing regularly in high school. They would clip out all my stories, read them over and over again and show them to their friends. My mom told me from the beginning that I was good enough to do this for a living and thankfully she’s been right.
Most memorable business experience
I’ve been fortunate enough to be courtside and on the field for many exciting games, but easily the highlight would be when I was a few feet away from Matt Leinart when he snuck into the end zone to beat Notre Dame last season in one of the greatest college football games ever. One play earlier, Leinart fumbled the ball out of bounds and it hit my leg. A two-page picture of that moment was in SI the next week and everyone at the office jokingly teased me for being so close to the play.
Mentors
My parents (Ali and Taraneh Markazi).
What motivates you for success?
I am motivated when I read great stories by great writers. It pushes me to get better.
Like best about what you do
I love asking people questions most people want to know, but can never ask. As a journalist, I love being the eyes, ears and voices of the fans and readers.
Like least about what you do
I used to love traveling, but after my tenth red-eye flight from New York to Los Angeles last year, I began to tire of the whole process. It also doesn’t help that I’m always “randomly selected” for extra security at airports. If only I could have the same success rate when I randomly select my lotto numbers.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a professional basketball player. I actually went to Magic Johnson’s summer camp when I was 10 and went one-on-one with Magic in a quick first to three points game one day. I got the ball first and did this crazy move where I bounced the ball through his legs, caught it behind him and laid it up to score first. That would be the only point I would score against him as he drove past me and dunked on me three straight times. Anyway, I didn’t grow much since that camp – I’m about 5-foot-7 – so I began focusing on a career in sports writing when I got to high school.
Biggest pastimes outside of work
I love comedy and jazz. If I’m not working, you’ll usually find me in Greenwich Village at the Comedy Cellar or the Blue Note, probably the best comedy club and jazz club in the world, conveniently located down the street from one another with Mamoun’s Falafel right in the middle. It doesn’t get much better than a night encompassing all three.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
I would love to meet Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. When I first read All The President’s Men in high school it confirmed my dream of one day being a journalist.
Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?
It would be interesting to sit down over a couple of Hefeweizens with Bill Gates. As the richest man in the world and someone who’s actually doing something to make a positive difference with his wealth, it would be fascinating to pick his brain on a variety of topics.
Three interesting facts about yourself
I’m still a kid at heart. I watch cartoons, I love macaroni and cheese and I stutter when I talk too fast.
Three characteristics that describe you
Extremely loyal, caring and considerate.
Three greatest passions
Eating a sumptuous meal at a nice restaurant, listening to a lively jazz set at a dimly lit club and watching a funny movie amongst friends at home.
Favorite book
All The President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Favorite cause
Cancer research. As a two-time cancer survivor, I hope that one day this disease will be a thing of the past.
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