The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is slated to shut down publication this May, the paper announced Wednesday afternoon. The Post-Gazette shared the news in an article, noting major financial losses and “court decisions” as reasons why it’s ceasing publication.
“The owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced Wednesday that the newspaper will cease publication Sunday, May 3.
Over the past 20 years, Block Communications Inc. has lost more than $350 million in cash operating the newspaper. Despite those efforts, the company said that the realities facing local journalism make “continued cash losses at this scale no longer sustainable.”
Recent court decisions would require the Post-Gazette to operate under a 2014 labor contract that imposes “outdated and inflexible operational practices,” making continued publication impossible.”
The PPG had battled a worker’s strike for years. One that was just resolved last month, though it appears it will amount to a hollow victory with the paper set to fold in less than four months. The court ruling against the paper seems to be a driving factor in the decision to shut down now.
Last week, Block Communications Inc. announced the Pittsburgh Paper would shut down after 34 years.
The Post-Gazette featured a heavy Steelers’ beat. Gerry Dulac was its most senior reporter, covering the Steelers since 1993. Other notable names on the beat include Brian Batko, Ray Fittipaldo, and Jason Mackey, the latter doubling in all Pittsburgh sports and not exclusive to the Steelers. It will be a major loss in the daily coverage of the team.
It’s unclear where those reporters and beat writers will go. Perhaps some will end up at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, now the most prominent paper in the city. The Athletic could have interest, though the site has its own financial concerns. Maybe some will go independent or enter other markets.
The Post-Gazette has been a Pittsburgh staple. Founded in 1786 as simply The Pittsburgh Gazette, it’s covered the team for the entirety of the Pittsburgh Steelers existence from 1933 to present day. We sourced it for articles and recaps dating back to the team’s inaugural season.
With the name changed to the Post-Gazette in 1927, it along with the Pittsburgh Press were mainstays of coverage throughout the 1900s. The Press shut down in 1992. In May, the Post-Gazette will join it.
Newspapers have faced an increasingly difficult environment. With online media being the focus over physical paper and competition from online outlets like The Athletic and websites like ours, most papers are losing money in record amounts.
With the paper set to close in May, one of its final acts will be covering the 2026 NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh for the first time in the modern era. That will be held April 23-25th.