Abstract: Having reviewed the development of sport journalism and communication during the 40-year reform and opening-up, the study shows that sport journalism and communication in China has shown an academic conscio usness in its practice and research. It finds that a framework of mass communication + sports on the study of sport journalism and communication in China has been established, with a lot of the publications and trained talents, which makes contributions to the practice of Chinese sports news. Moreover, the study holds that the future research needs to strengthen its integration with other disciplines, establish a more explanatory and inclusive research paradigm, introduce new research methods, consider both academic independence and national strategy, improve international cooperation and exchanges while cultivating all-media talents, and participate in the construction of academic discourse on international sports communication.