Who is Jenna Harner? Biography, age, husband, net worth, career, awards

Jenna Harner is a prominent American sports anchor and reporter who currently works for WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is known for her comprehensive coverage of Pittsburgh sports teams including the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. 

The Emmy Award-winning journalist gained widespread recognition for her expertise in sports broadcasting and recently married fellow Pittsburgh sports journalist Mike DeFabo in June 2024.

Jenna Harner Wikipedia

FieldDetails
Full nameJenna Elaine Harner
GenderFemale
Date of birthMay 16, 1995
Age29 years (as of 2025)
Place of birthSouth Windsor, Connecticut, USA
Current residencePittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityWhite
Zodiac signTaurus
ReligionUnknown
Sexual orientationStraight
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight130 lbs (59 kg)
Hair colourBlonde
Eye colourBlue
Marital statusMarried
SpouseMike DeFabo (married June 2024)
ChildrenNone
Alma materIthaca College
ProfessionSports anchor/reporter
Net worth$1-3 million (estimated)

Who is Jenna Harner?

Jenna Harner is a distinguished American sports journalist who has made her mark in the competitive world of broadcast journalism. 

She currently serves as a sports anchor and reporter for WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, where she covers all major Pittsburgh sports teams. 

The Connecticut native graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College and has built an impressive career spanning multiple markets across New York State and Pennsylvania. 

Her expertise in sports broadcasting has earned her recognition including Emmy Awards and Associated Press honors for her outstanding coverage.

How old is Jenna Harner?

How old is Jenna Harner?

Jenna Harner is 29 years old as of 2025. She was born on May 16, 1995, in South Windsor, Connecticut, United States. Her zodiac sign is Taurus, and she celebrates her birthday on May 16th each year.

What is Jenna Harner’s net worth?

As of 2025, Jenna Harner’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $3 million. She has built this wealth through her successful career as a sports journalist working for major television networks. 

Her annual salary at WPXI-TV ranges from $45,000 to $110,500, according to industry sources. Her income comes primarily from her television broadcasting work, along with potential endorsements and speaking engagements related to her sports journalism expertise.

Career

Jenna Harner’s journalism career began while she was still a student at Ithaca College, where she worked for The Ithacan newspaper and WICB 91.7 FM radio station. She won a College Emmy Award just days after her graduation in 2016. 

Her first professional position was at WENY-TV in Elmira, New York, where she served as Sports Director from 2016 to 2018. During her time in the Southern Tier region, she earned an Associated Press award for Best Sports Coverage, establishing her reputation for excellence in sports journalism.

In April 2018, Harner moved to Buffalo, New York, to join the sports team at WIVB/WNLO-TV as a Sports Multimedia Journalist. During her tenure in Buffalo, she covered major events including the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and University at Buffalo athletics. 

She notably covered UB football’s historic victories in the Bahamas Bowl in 2019 and the Dollar General Bowl in 2018, as well as the UB women’s basketball team’s NCAA Tournament run in 2018.

In 2020, Harner joined WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she currently serves as a sports anchor and reporter. She became the only woman working on-air as a sports anchor/reporter on a local broadcast station in the Pittsburgh market at that time. 

Her coverage includes all major Pittsburgh sports teams and she has continued to receive recognition for her work, including recent Emmy Awards in 2023 and 2024 for her sports reporting excellence.

Is Jenna Harner married?

Is Jenna Harner married?

Jenna Harner is married to Mike DeFabo, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer who covers Pittsburgh sports. The couple tied the knot on June 22, 2024, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Pittsburgh. 

They had been engaged since February 24, 2022, after DeFabo proposed during one of the coldest days of the year. The couple met in the press box at PPG Paints Arena while covering Pittsburgh sports events, creating a true “press box romance” story.

Mike DeFabo, born on February 1, 1990, is 34 years old as of 2025. He works as a sports journalist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and is well-known in Pittsburgh sports media circles. The couple frequently collaborates on sports coverage and has become known as a power couple in Pittsburgh sports journalism.

Who are Jenna Harner’s children?

As of 2025, Jenna Harner and Mike DeFabo do not have any children. The couple, who married in June 2024, are currently focused on their respective journalism careers and have not announced any plans regarding starting a family.

Jenna Harner’s height and weight

Jenna Harner stands 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.65 meters) and weighs approximately 130 pounds (59 kilograms). She maintains an athletic build and is known for her professional on-screen presence during sports broadcasts.

Fast Facts

  1. Emmy Award Winner: Jenna has won multiple Emmy Awards, including a College Emmy in 2016 and recent regional Emmy Awards in 2023 and 2024 for her sports reporting.
  2. Academic Excellence: She graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications with a degree in Television and Radio Communications.
  3. Multi-Sport Athlete: During college, Jenna played on the women’s lacrosse team at Ithaca College and was named team captain during her senior year.
  4. Career Geographic Journey: Her career has taken her from Connecticut (860 area code) to Ithaca (607) to Buffalo (716) and finally to Pittsburgh (412), as she often references on her social media.
  5. Sports Passion: She grew up as an avid sports fan in Connecticut and particularly enjoys covering hockey, often tweeting about the sport along with puppies and food.
  6. Breaking Barriers: When she joined WPXI in 2020, she became the only woman working on-air as a sports anchor/reporter on a local broadcast station in Pittsburgh.
  7. Social Media Presence: Jenna maintains active social media accounts with over 7,400 followers on Instagram, where she shares professional updates and personal moments.
  8. Family Background: She is the daughter of Jeff Harner (father) and Liz Harner (mother) and was raised in South Windsor, Connecticut.

Wrapping Up

Jenna Harner has established herself as one of Pittsburgh’s most respected sports journalists through her dedication, talent, and professional excellence.

 From her early days as a summa cum laude graduate at Ithaca College to her current role as an Emmy Award-winning sports anchor at WPXI-TV, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills in sports broadcasting. 

Her recent marriage to fellow sports journalist Mike DeFabo has created one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent sports media power couples. As she continues to cover Pittsburgh sports with expertise and passion, Jenna Harner remains a rising star in the world of sports journalism.

Read more: Hamzi Hijazi: Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Business

References:

  1. WPXI-TV. “Jenna Harner, Channel 11 Sports – Pittsburgh.” WPXI Official Website
  2. FactProfiles. “Jenna Harner Bio, Wiki, Age, Family, Husband, WPXI, & Net Worth.” FactProfiles
  3. Ithaca College Athletics. “Jenna Harner – Women’s Lacrosse.” Ithaca College Athletics
  4. 937 The Fan. “Power couple alert! Mike DeFabo and Jenna Harner are a thing.” 937 The Fan
  5. NATAS Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Recipients.” NATAS Mid-Atlantic

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