Ashley Liotus Biography: The Hometown Anchor Who Beat the Odds to Cover Pittsburgh Sports

The dream for any Pittsburgh sports fan is to be close to the action—the roar of the crowd at Acrisure Stadium, the ice-level tension at PPG Paints Arena, and the summer breeze at PNC Park. For Ashley Liotus, that dream is now her daily reality.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 18, 1990, Ashley is currently 34 years old (as of 2025). She was raised in the city’s South Hills.

Liotus spent years building a robust career across the country, from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to the Big East. But the ultimate goal was always to return home.

As a full-time Sports Anchor and Reporter for WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, she now delivers the scores, stories, and spirit of the Steel City’s beloved teams.

This is the definitive profile of a dedicated journalist, answering key questions like: Who is Ashley Liotus? Is Ashley Liotus married? and What happened to the female sports Reporter on WTAE?—detailing her journey, her impact, and the passion that drives Pittsburgh’s newest sports voice.

I. The Narrative Hook: The Ultimate Homecoming

1. A Decade-Long Dream Fulfilled: The Path Back to Pittsburgh

In the highly competitive world of sports broadcasting, few moments are sweeter than realizing a childhood dream. For Ashley Liotus, that dream was not just about reporting, but about coming home.

In 2024, when she officially joined WTAE-TV Channel 4 as a full-time Sports Anchor and Reporter, it marked the successful end of a years-long journey defined by dedication and strategic career moves.

Liotus herself articulated this deep connection in a post announcing her move to fans and media enthusiasts searching for her Ashley Liotus Biography.

She wrote, “If you had asked me 10 years ago what my dream job was, I would have told you ‘covering the teams in my hometown’”.¹

This emotional sentiment underscores the core of her professional drive: a profound desire to cover the city where she first fell in love with sports.¹

For local viewers, having an anchor who grew up watching the same station, WTAE, provides an immediate and authentic connection that transcends typical media professionalism.

2. Rooted in the Steel City: An Authentic Voice

Liotus is a truly local talent, grounding her authority in the deep, inherent passion Pittsburghers hold for their teams. She was born and raised in the South Hills area, graduating from Baldwin High School in 2009.³

This local foundation means she understands the nuances and expectations of the fiercely loyal fan base in a way that an outsider simply cannot.

After graduating from Baldwin, she pursued her degree in broadcast journalism, focusing on sports, at Penn State University, graduating in 2013.⁵

Her deep local ties were immediately acknowledged by station management upon her hiring.

Moreover, her position connects her directly to the station’s legacy, as she gets to work in the very newsroom where the iconic “The Terrible Towel” was created, an amusing detail that solidifies her link to Pittsburgh sports history.⁷

3. Official Confirmation: The Question Answered

For those seeking to know, “What happened to Ashley Liotus?” the answer is simple and gratifying: she achieved her professional goal.

Liotus had been a dedicated freelance reporter for Channel 4 starting in 2022, effectively undergoing a two-year audition in the market.⁶

In July 2024, this period of freelancing ended with her official promotion to a full-time staff role, anchoring weekends and reporting/filling in on weekdays.⁶ This move solidified her standing as a prominent WTAE Sports Anchor.

II. Forging Professional Versatility: The Producer’s Edge

4. The Producer’s Advantage: A Masterclass in Broadcast Mechanics

Unlike many on-air personalities who follow a straight path from reporting to anchoring, Liotus began her career behind the scenes.

This dual experience as both a reporter and producer forms the foundation of her strong professional reputation and high level of competence.

Her first job out of Penn State was in Savannah, Georgia, at WJCL-TV—a Hearst Television sister station to WTAE—where she started as a producer.⁶

While in Savannah, Liotus was eager to pivot to on-air work, admitting she was “begging them to let me do sports stories”.⁶ This early exposure to the mechanics of broadcasting shaped her professional philosophy.

She often expresses the crucial belief that every member of a news team should understand the other’s role, stating, “Every reporter should be a producer for a month and every producer should be a reporter for a month”.⁶ This conviction highlights her comprehensive understanding of broadcast workflow.

By knowing what producers require and what the control room faces—especially concerning elements like the IFB (interruptible feedback device) that anchors use to communicate with the control room—she minimizes technical friction and contributes to a smoother, more efficient newscast.⁶

This comprehensive skillset established her as a truly valuable “team player,” a characteristic recognized by WTAE General Manager Charles Wolfertz.³

5. Southern Exposure: High-Pressure Sports Reporting

The strategic next step in Liotus’s career was moving to a demanding market that guaranteed full-time sports coverage. She secured a position in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she dove into the heart of high-stakes college and professional sports.⁶

Her time in the South involved intense coverage, including Louisiana State University (LSU) football, baseball, and gymnastics—all programs with immense regional pressure and national attention. She also gained professional experience covering the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.⁶

Navigating the competitive SEC environment provided her with the rigor and deep sports knowledge necessary to handle the intensity of the Pittsburgh media market, preparing her for the passion of Steelers and Penguins fans.

III. The Freelance Hustle: Adaptability and National Reach

6. The New York Leap: Ambition over Security

Following the conclusion of her contract in Baton Rouge in 2019, Liotus took a significant professional gamble: she moved to New York City without a guaranteed job, determined to freelance.⁶

This move speaks volumes about her confidence and strategic focus. Instead of prioritizing immediate job security, she sought opportunities that would maximize her national exposure and broaden her portfolio, consciously positioning herself closer to the Northeast.⁶

Working in the hyper-competitive New York market, even as a freelancer, allowed her to showcase adaptability and resilience.

This decision to leave a stable, full-time role for the unpredictability of freelance work demonstrated the persistence required to compete for her ultimate goal: the Pittsburgh market.

7. Beyond the Sidelines: Reporting on Critical Social Issues

During her time freelancing, Liotus secured roles covering the Big East Conference and contributing to The Black News Channel (BNC).⁶ Her work at BNC, which shuttered in 2022, demonstrated a journalistic range extending far beyond the sports page.

Notably, she produced a report focusing on the need for Black doctors, addressing critical societal and health equity concerns.¹⁰

This depth of experience serves as crucial evidence of her authority and trustworthiness as a complete journalist, not merely a sports specialist.

In contemporary media, professionals who can tackle substantive news reporting alongside game coverage are often considered the most versatile and valuable assets.

This history bolsters the credibility of her entire Ashley Liotus Biography.

8. The Two-Year Audition: Producing for the Penguins and Pirates

Liotus returned to Pittsburgh in early 2022, initiating the final, strategic phase of her journey home.

She freelanced heavily, notably serving as an associate producer for “Inside Pirates Baseball” on SportsNet Pittsburgh (now referred to as SportsNet Pittsburgh).⁵

This role involved producing pre- and post-game coverage for both the Penguins and the Pirates.³

This sustained period of both production work for SportsNet and freelance reporting for WTAE allowed her to re-establish deep local connections and prove her competency in covering Pittsburgh’s major league teams.

By successfully juggling both production and reporting demands for two years, she eliminated any doubts about her fitness for the full-time WTAE Sports Anchor position.

IV. Anchoring the ‘Burgh: Authority and Impact

9. Officially Channel 4: Continuity and Confirmation

Liotus’s full-time appointment in July 2024 was a moment of celebration for the station and local fans. She was named the newest sports anchor/reporter following the departure of Emily Giangreco in April.⁵

She joined the established sports team, working alongside Sports Director Andrew Stockey.¹

WTAE General Manager and President Charles W. Wolfertz III affirmed that Liotus’s local background was a key factor in the hiring decision, calling her “the right fit for our station”.²

He highlighted her commitment to the station’s standards and her innate understanding of the region’s fierce sports enthusiasm.²

10. Making Headlines: Access to the Power Brokers

A true test of a sports reporter’s authority lies in their access to organizational leaders. Liotus has demonstrated this high-level trust by securing interviews with key decision-makers in the region. A notable example includes her interview with Steelers President Art Rooney II.¹²

Conducting one-on-one interviews with figures such as the Steelers president indicates that she is perceived as a serious, trusted voice in the Pittsburgh sports media landscape.

Her ability to engage power brokers on camera solidifies her role as an authoritative figure reporting on the city’s most beloved teams.

11. The Legacy Connection: Mentorship and Tradition

Liotus’s ties to WTAE stretch back to her collegiate days, having completed an internship with the station early in her career.⁶

This early experience established important relationships, including the professional guidance of former Channel 4 sports anchor Guy Junker, whom she credits as a mentor.⁶

This mentorship and historical connection to WTAE’s past lends weight to her presence on the air. It suggests she is not just a recent hire, but a locally cultivated talent who benefits from the wisdom and tradition of established Pittsburgh sports figures, reinforcing viewer trust in her reporting.

12. The Female Voice in Pittsburgh Sports

As a highly visible female sports reporter WTAE promotes, Liotus’s career offers a compelling blueprint for young women aspiring to enter the field.

Her professional trajectory, which prioritized learning the technical complexities of broadcast production before pursuing on-air reporting, emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive skillset.

She is part of a trend of authoritative women delivering high-quality sports coverage, proving that expertise and technical proficiency are the true drivers of success in modern sports media.

V. Personal Profile and Transparency

13. Ashley Liotus At a Glance: Essential Details

To efficiently answer common search queries, including those regarding Ashley Liotus Age and education, the following table summarizes key biographical details confirmed through public records and media reports. Liotus is 34 years old as of 2025.

Ashley Liotus At a Glance: Essential Details

14. Addressing FAQs: Relationships and Privacy

In the age of social media, fans often inquire about the personal lives of public figures, particularly asking, “Is Ashley Liotus married?” or seeking information about “Ashley Liotus husband.” Yes, Ashley Liotus is married. Her husband is Michael Gorman.

Public sources, like her own social media posts, confirm the marriage. Gorman’s work has been associated with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, indicating he shares a connection to the world of athletics.

What happened to Ashley Liotus? The question fans asked when she seemed to disappear from one market only to pop up in her hometown. Her return to Pittsburgh was a phased but intentional one.

She began freelancing in early 2022, balancing two major roles:

1. Behind the Scenes: She worked as an associate producer for Inside Pirates Baseball at what was then AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh (now SportsNet Pittsburgh).

2. On the Air: She simultaneously began reporting on-air for WTAE-TV Channel 4, covering the local teams she loved, including the Steelers and Penguins.

This two-year trial period solidified her value. In mid-2024, she was officially named a full-time Sports Anchor and Reporter, securing the dream job she had envisioned since college. She anchors the weekend sportscasts and reports/fill-in anchors during the week alongside Sports Director Andrew Stockey.

While she is active on platforms that fulfill the query, “Does Ashley Liotus have social media?,” she keeps the focus of her public life squarely on her professional achievements and her reporting on Pittsburgh sports, choosing to keep details about her relationship status private.

VI. Conclusion and Resources

15. A Forecast: Cementing a Pittsburgh Legacy

Ashley Liotus’s career trajectory is a testament to calculated ambition and professional resilience.

Her strategic decision to acquire crucial technical skills as a producer, combined with high-pressure reporting experience in markets like the SEC, laid the perfect groundwork for her eventual return home.

Given her deep local ties, the support from management, and her unique, versatile skillset, her tenure at WTAE is likely highly secure.

Liotus is positioned to become a central fixture in Pittsburgh sports media for the foreseeable future, potentially growing into a senior leadership or directorial role within the station’s sports department in the next decade.

16. Key Career Milestones: A Journey Home Summary

Her success story is defined by a series of deliberate steps, each building toward the fulfillment of her lifelong goal:

Key Career Milestones: A Journey Home

17. Final Word: Dedication to the Steel City

Ashley Liotus represents the modern, multifaceted sports journalist. She brings not only the passion of a native Pittsburgher but also the technical rigor of a seasoned producer and the adaptability of a national correspondent.

Her appointment as a full-time anchor solidifies her place as an authentic, locally-grown talent bringing comprehensive coverage to the Steel City.

What Pittsburgh sports story do you want Ashley to cover next? Share your thoughts below!

Recommended Resources and Verifiable Sources

Colleagues and Mentors

• Andrew Stockey (WTAE Sports Director)

• Guy Junker (Mentor and former WTAE anchor)

• Mike Clark – Evening Anchor

• Kelly Sasso – Evening Anchor

• Michelle Wright – Morning Anchor

• Charles W. Wolfertz III (WTAE General Manager and President)

Sources

1. Patch.com ¹

2. TribLIVE Community ³

3. Baldwin-Whitehall School District News ⁴

4. TribLIVE TV Talk ⁵

5. TribLIVE TV Talk (Career Focus) ⁶

6. Patch.com (Baldwin Native) ²

7. TribLIVE Community (Full-Time Confirmation) ⁸

8. YouTube (Black News Channel Report) ¹⁰

9. Steel Curtain Rising ¹²

10. TribLIVE TV Talk (Producer Insight) ⁶

11. PBRTV ⁷

12. TribLIVE TV Talk (Savannah/SNP) ³