By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-19 03:07:51 | Updated at 2026-06-19 04:49:15
2 hours ago
Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins have been left furious after a popular reporter who covers the team was laid off from her role - just a month after she got married.
Penguins rinkside reporter Hailey Hunter revealed her unfortunate news to TribLive and said that while she was grateful for three seasons covering the team, she isn't totally sure why she has lost her job.
'Unfortunately, I was told the Penguins have decided that they simply wanted to move in a different direction with the role,' she was quoted as saying by TribLive about her role with SportsNet Pittsburgh.
'I really wasn't given any details, but I understand that’s the business we are in.'
The timing of the news is particularly unfortunate for Hunter given that she only just married her partner of five years, Gage Posey, in May.
Hunter has a strong background in sports, too. She tried to make it on the LPGA Tour before moving into broadcasting and her father, Tim, played 55 times for the Penguins between 1982-84.
Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins have been left furious at Hailey Hunter losing her job
Hunter said she is 'shocked' and isn't clear as to why she has lost her role covering the team
Hunter then joined the Penguins for the 23-24 NHL season and has appeared on the golf channel, too.
She continued: 'The network truly felt like family and everyone there will always be great friends of mine. I’ll be having a get-together with many of the people I worked with next week, from cameramen to producers to executives from our network.
'We are all pretty shocked, but everyone’s kindness and support has truly meant the world to me.'
Hunter received plenty of support online from fans - and also from respected MLB broadcaster Robby Incmikoski.
He posted a lengthy tweet on Wednesday saying television is 'a dirty business' and that Hunter deserved 'WAY better' treatment after losing her role. He claimed she had bought a house in the city and that her husband had uprooted his life so that she could pursue her dream job.
Incmikoski added in a follow-up post that he did not think there was a sinister reason behind Hunter's exit, explaining: 'She will get a prominent job in no time because she’s extremely good at her job, she’s a total professional and she treats everyone with kindness.
'I’ve never heard a single bad word said about her and I know every single one of her coworkers. It just p***ed me off to see people like her losing dream jobs for zero good reason. That’s ALL I’m saying.'
And there were plenty of Penguins fans who agreed.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs this season, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers
'Sorry to hear that. I really liked her. I thought she was very good and very knowledgeable of the sport,' one wrote on X in response to the news.
Another wrote: 'She was outstanding. What could the possible reason be?'
A different fan commented: 'Very sad that the Penguins have chosen to "go in a different direction." She did a great job!'
An SNP spokesperson was quoted as saying by TribLive: 'We are grateful for all of Hailey’s contributions during her time at SportsNet Pittsburgh. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
'We will soon begin a nationwide search for a rinkside reporter for our Penguins coverage.'
In the 2026 season, the Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in three years before losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
