Leon also shared some specific hopes for his internship. “A dream reporting gig would be a big final like the FA Cup or Champions League. Being able to report on a Premier League match through ESPN would be amazing too. Other than football, I’ve always really wanted to cover a tennis grand slam - Wimbledon would be the dream.”
Owen Evans, Course Leader in Sport Journalism at the University of Brighton, said: “This is a highly-competitive position at one of the biggest sports media companies in the world, and Leon fully deserves this opportunity.
"Ever since he started the course he has attended every lecture and field trip, and also shown initiative by getting work experience with Southend United and the Southend Echo. I have no doubt he will be a huge success at ESPN, and I look forward to hearing all about it when he comes back to finish his BA Sport Journalism degree."
The University of Brighton is a UK leader in forging strong industry links and supporting students to gain valuable work experience while they study, whether through industry placements or degree apprenticeships courses covering an expanding range of work sectors. By equipping its graduates with the skills to succeed in their chosen career, 92.6% of full-time degree graduates from the University of Brighton are in work, training or further study within six months of completing their course.
In terms of its journalism degree courses, all are NCTJ-accredited - meaning graduates are industry ready with recognised professional qualifications. Leon's Sport Journalism course, meanwhile, has created Premier League reporting opportunities with Arsenal as well as Brighton & Hove Albion.