Good People of vitruta: Buğra Balaban

Welcome to Good People of vitruta, Buğra! Let’s jump right in: who is Buğra Balaban, and how did your journey begin?

Let me answer in the third person: Buğra Balaban is a sports storyteller. I strive to share stories about various sports, including basketball, football, and tennis, through print, visual, and audio media. I grew up in a civil servant family often used as an example, and I moved from Bandırma to Istanbul at a young age, navigating the complexities of metropolitan life—something I’m still adapting to. In the midst of a solid academic journey, I discovered a path where I could turn my first passion for sports into a profession, and the rest is history.

How did you enter the world of sports? What brought you to this vibrant sports media landscape you’re now immersed in?

I actually graduated with a double major in economics and business administration from Koç University. While I was contemplating whether to pursue a master’s degree, go abroad, or perhaps become a CEO in a multinational company (the notorious triangle of top universities), a completely different path presented itself. I discovered a Sports Communication Certificate Program held on weekends at Kadir Has University. Many sports figures I admired had passed through there, and some even taught. On a whim, I enrolled in my second year at university. I did well, which led to internships at Eurosport Türkiye and the then-fledgling Socrates Magazine. With each passing day, the options in that triangle seemed to drift further away. I worked to carve out a place for myself in this new world. Seven years have passed since, and I continue to contribute to various corners of the sports world, primarily through these two institutions.

On one hand, we know you’re involved in sports commentary, Socrates publications, and magazine work, while on the other hand, you host the Salon Sporu podcast with your partner, Nihan Cabbaroğlu. Can you give us a brief overview of the projects you're currently active in?

I work as a sports commentator for Eurosport Türkiye, write monthly articles for Socrates Magazine, proofread and fact-check every issue, and co-host a football podcast called "Socrates FC." Additionally, I prepare football history content in a podcast titled "Sinyor Ne Diyor?" with İlhan Özgen, and discuss EuroLeague topics with Nihan in "Salon Sporu." These roughly summarize my weekly workload. Besides these, I also occasionally provide commentary for S Sport, delegate at EuroLeague matches, and engage in various freelance projects focused on voiceovers or content creation.

Could you share some favorite episodes or guests from your shows, like "Sinyor Ne Diyor?" or "Salon Sporu"?

In "Sinyor Ne Diyor?", İlhan and I created a series on the World Cup. We watched, researched, and discussed every World Cup from 1966 to 1994. It’s accessible on the Socrates Magazine YouTube account, and I consider it a valuable archival project. That series holds a special place for me. In "Salon Sporu," I particularly enjoyed episodes featuring Coach Erdem Can and Sertaç Şanlı from Barcelona. In "Socrates FC," we always leave with laughter from nearly every episode; I highly recommend each one without exception.

We often catch you joyfully commentating on various sports like tennis, artistic skating, and basketball. How do you manage to stay informed about such a wide range of sports, clubs, and athletes?

There’s no magic wand here—just a boring and simple answer: hard work. I stay informed by reading about the rules, legends, team histories, athletes’ coaches, their countries' current political climates, organizational issues, and also the global landscape. I want to take a moment to honor Halit Kıvanç, a legendary figure in sports broadcasting, who managed to enrich his broadcasts with countless information even in the era before the internet and smartphones. Those who illuminated this path under such conditions truly deserve our respect. Given today’s internet landscape, where we can access vast streams of information in mere minutes, we just need to put in the effort and work.

As someone involved in so many projects, where do you find your motivation and inspiration? What drives you?

I think it comes from stories. The tales of colleagues I admire, the journeys of athletes I look up to, and the narrative Nihan and I have created together. I don’t know any other way. From a young age, I felt I had to work hard, and these days I try not to ask myself if I can keep up. I fear that I won’t be able to return to this pace. Maybe in the future, there will be days when I choose to breathe a little more. For now, I’m satisfied with my situation. Despite the challenges, I genuinely enjoy the work I do; it often doesn’t even feel like work. I hope it continues this way.

What have you been watching, reading, or listening to lately? Would you like to share with us?

Of course! Recently, I watched the film Athena on Netflix. It’s a high-tension movie that addresses minorities, policing, family, and pain. There were parts where I felt breathless. I finished the first season of House of Dragons, and as someone who watched Game of Thrones later than most, I found it to exceed my expectations as a sequel. Lastly, at the recommendation of my dear friend Tuğçe Merve Aytaç, I started the series This Is Us. I've only seen a few episodes, but I can already strongly recommend it.

I think you should consume anything related to Deniz Göktaş. If you enjoy stand-up like I do, there’s nothing else like it among local content. I’ve also seen his live show, but I recommend starting with his podcasts for a first encounter. I’m a big fan of the band Broken Bells, and I’ve been revisiting them with their new album lately. On the reading front, I’d like to mention the book "Range" by David Epstein, translated into Turkish as "Çok Yönlü." It explores in detail how, contrary to conventional wisdom, a more varied approach to learning—rather than simply repeating the same thing—might be a better path for one’s career journey.

Can you share your three favorite brands from vitruta?

I’m a bit of a classic in this regard... My number one is definitely RAINS, followed by Fjällräven Kånken and VEJA.

For the products Buğra Balaban used in the photoshoot and selected for you, click here.