Making History in the Burgh

WPXI has officially named Jenna Harner as its new Sports Director, marking a historic shift for the NBC affiliate. Harner, who joined the station in 2020, becomes the first female Sports Director in WPXI history.

The announcement follows the departure of longtime veteran Alby Oxenreiter, who stepped down from the leadership role following a 2023 double heart valve replacement surgery. In choosing Harner, WPXI continues its tradition of internal promotion while breaking a significant glass ceiling in the Pittsburgh sports media landscape.

Harner’s rise to the department’s top spot comes after four years of navigating one of the most intense sports markets in the country. Arriving at the height of the 2020 pandemic—a period when professional sports were largely sidelined—Harner quickly established herself through a deep-dive approach to the city’s "Big Three" and collegiate beats.

"The drawing point for me was coming to a place where sports are so valued and people care about what’s happening 24/7," Harner previously noted. "If the Steelers don’t win on Sunday, everyone is sad and upset on Monday. Their lives are based around these teams."

To bolster its sports desk alongside Harner’s elevation, WPXI has also announced the hiring of Shelby Cassesse as a full-time sports anchor and reporter. Cassesse is a familiar face to the Pittsburgh market, having frequently contributed to the station’s coverage as a freelancer.