Answer:
at the very least, understand the basics of the sport in question
Step-by-step explanation:
A publicist is an individual who generates and manages publicity for a company, a brand, or a public figure. If the publicist works for a sports company/magazine they need to, at the very least, understand the basics of the sport in question such as the rules, basic terminology used, player names/states, etc. This is because they need to write articles that make sense, and since the audience reading them will be very well versed in the sport, then the information provided needs to be accurate.