Bumped out in the Burgh

WPXI has told sports reporter Rich Walsh that they are not renewing his contract and he will be gone by the end of the month. 

"I was told my position was eliminated, that it was a budget issue," Mr. Walsh told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "I had a good time and there were a lot of good people I worked with. I don't have anything bad to say about the the station."

"While we don't have any plans to announce a replacement, our commitment to covering Pittsburgh sports won't diminish," said Ray Carter, WPXI vice-president and general manager. "In this world of ever-expanding technology and delivery platforms, broadcasters have to sometimes hit the 'pause' button and re-evaluate where they have their people and resources.

"That's in essence what we are doing. Rich is a terrific talent and has been a valuable team member. We're going to miss him."

"I felt like I was blindsided by it, a little, but it is the nature of the business," said Mr. Walsh, 36, a Penn Hills native and University of Pittsburgh alum. "I'm going to pursue anything that's available come January. I've already had interviews out of state, but I don't necessarily want to leave Pittsburgh." 

He's been at the station as a Reporter since 2005.