Another legendary newspaper is going out of business. When news broke on Wednesday that The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s ownership announced that the newspaper plans to shut down operations on May 3, reaction to the news came swift from both Pittsburgh based sports media and national media. 93.7 The Fan hosts Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey were live when the news broke, with both talents saying they were shocked about the story.
Especially Starkey, who has hosts middays on 93.7 The Fan but also contributes a daily column to the newspaper.
“This affects a lot of people, including me,” said Starkey. “So, this is shocking. This is a shocker. Should they have sent us an email? I don’t see an email in here. If there were an email, I would have gotten texts from my friends over there… I need to go find someplace to write columns if I want to keep writing them.”
In a statement, Block Communications Inc. said continued financial losses have made it impossible to keep the paper operating under current conditions. The family-owned media company, which is based in Toledo, Ohio, has owned the Post-Gazette since 1927.
“Over the past two decades, Block Communications has invested more than $350 million in cash to sustain the Post-Gazette,” the company said. “Despite those efforts, the ongoing financial challenges facing local journalism mean losses of this magnitude are no longer viable.”
Pompeani also shared his reactions to the news. He called the end of the newspaper a devastating blow to the local Pittsburgh community.
“I’m sorry to see it, because it’s a big part. Since all of us were young kids,” said Pompeani. “So many great stories that were broken there and told there. But if you’re gonna lose $350 million if that’s accurate, I suppose that’s the decision they have to make.”
The news drove massive reaction on 97.3 The Fan during the afteroon, but also social media was buzzing about the news as well.
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