Former Sports Announcer, Pittsburgh TV Executive Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — A former sports announcer who spent more than three decades as a Pittsburgh television executive has died.

Mark Barash, who was the regular sportscaster for TV stations in Fresno and Detroit and the play-by-play-announcer for the New York Cosmos soccer team and the New York Stars football team, was 70.

According to his obituary, he was hired by WPXI-TV in 1984 and served as program director and Operations Manager for 31 years. He was also the creator and station manager of the PCNC cable station.

Barash brought major syndicated programs to Pittsburgh like "Jeopardy," "Wheel of Fortune," and Judge Judy. He helped secure media rights for local events like the Three Rivers Regatta, the Celebrate the Season Parade, the July 4th fireworks, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball, and the WPXI Carol Sing.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 12.