SportsNet Pittsburgh Releases Hailey Hunter; FIFA World Cup Ratings Surge Hailey Hunter, the rinkside reporter for the Pittsburgh Penguins on SportsNet Pittsburgh, has been let go after three seasons with the network. In a statement, SportsNet Pittsburgh acknowledged her contributions and expressed gratitude for her time with the organization. The network stated it is initiating a nationwide search for a new rinkside reporter to cover Penguins games. Hunter did not receive a detailed explanation for her departure, though she noted that the Penguins opted to pursue a different direction for the role. Hunter, who joined SportsNet Pittsburgh for the 2023-24 Penguins season, described her time with the network as a “family” experience. She revealed plans to host a farewell gathering with colleagues, including cameramen, producers, executives, and representatives from the Penguins and Pirates organizations, with approximately 60 attendees. She emphasized the camaraderie she developed during her tenure, calling the news “shocking” but expressing appreciation for the support she received. Prior to her role with SportsNet Pittsburgh, Hunter covered golf for Golf Channel and the PGA Tour Entertainment and served as a team reporter and host for the New York Islanders during the 2021-22 season. She grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, and her father, Tim Hrynewich, played 55 games for the Penguins between 1982 and 1984. Meanwhile, early ratings for FIFA World Cup coverage on Fox, Fox One, and Tubi have exceeded expectations, driven by the event’s location in the United States. Matches featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team have drawn significant audiences, with the June 12 game against Paraguay averaging 15.9 million viewers and peaking at 18.8 million.#new_york_islanders #pittsburgh_penguins #sportsnet_pittsburgh #golf_channel #hailey_hunter
