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If you were scrolling through Raleigh sports Twitter back in the summer of 2022, you probably remember the absolute firestorm. One day, Abby Labar was the rising star of the Carolina Hurricanes broadcast team, a fan favorite with an infectious energy on Bally Sports South. The next, she was the center of a viral controversy that seemed ready to swallow her career whole.
It was messy. It was public. Honestly, it was the kind of thing that usually ends a broadcasting career before it even really hits its stride. But if you haven't checked in lately, the story of what happened with Abby Labar didn't actually end in that Raleigh courtroom of public opinion.
The 2022 Controversy That Changed Everything
Let's get the facts straight because the rumor mill in 2022 was working overtime. At the time, Labar was engaged to be married and was a staple of the Hurricanes' "Canes Live" pre-game shows. Then, reports surfaced regarding an affair with then-Hurricanes defenseman Ian Cole.
The fallout was swift.
Labar’s scheduled wedding was reportedly called off just days before the event. On the professional side, the silence was deafening. She disappeared from the airwaves. While Ian Cole eventually moved on to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning and other teams, Labar’s path wasn't as simple. In the world of sports media, "journalistic ethics" is a phrase thrown around a lot, and getting involved with a player you cover is a massive red flag for any network.
For about a year, she basically went dark. No sidelines. No post-game interviews. Just a lot of speculation on Reddit about whether she'd ever hold a microphone again.
Where is Abby Labar Now?
Most people assume that once a local reporter disappears after a scandal, they’re just gone. That’s not what happened here. Labar didn't leave the industry; she just left the market.
By 2023, she had resurfaced in New York City. She started small, working with the FTN Network as a host and analyst, leaning into the growing world of sports betting. It was a smart pivot. Betting content is less about the "traditional" sideline access and more about data and personality—two things she already had in spades.
The MLB Network Breakout
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and Labar didn't just find a job—she landed one of the biggest gigs in baseball. If you turn on MLB Network today, you'll see her as the primary host of Quick Pitch.
It’s kind of a wild turnaround. She went from being a localized "Canes" reporter to hosting a national highlight show of record. She’s also been spotted:
- Reporting for the PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) during its historic second season.
- Doing sideline work for college football on ESPN.
- Hosting FanDuel hockey coverage for MSG Networks.
She effectively traded the Raleigh market for the media capital of the world.
Why This Story Matters for Sports Media
What really happened with Abby Labar is actually a case study in how the "cancel culture" of the early 2020s interacted with sports journalism. There’s a valid argument about the double standard at play. Ian Cole, the player involved, didn't miss a beat in his NHL career. Labar, meanwhile, had to move states and rebuild from the ground up.
Critics will point to the ethics of the situation—and they aren't wrong. Most reputable networks have strict policies about relationships between staff and the athletes they cover to maintain "objective" reporting. However, Labar’s ability to bounce back suggests that her talent was undeniable enough for national networks like MLB to look past the 2022 headlines.
The Reality of the "Comeback"
It wasn't an overnight success. Labar spent 2023 writing columns for Sportmoney HQ and doing digital-only spots. She had to prove she could still draw an audience without the drama attached to her name.
Today, she’s a two-time Emmy nominee who has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the NHL Stadium Series. The "Caniacs" who used to watch her at PNC Arena might not see her on the local broadcast anymore, but she’s arguably in a much bigger position now than she ever was in North Carolina.
What We Can Learn
The lesson here isn't about the affair—that’s personal history at this point. It’s about the pivot.
When Labar lost her spot with the Hurricanes and Bally Sports, she didn't try to force her way back into a room where she wasn't wanted. She moved to a different sport (Baseball) and a different medium (Betting/National Highlights).
If you're following her career now, the best way to keep up is through her work on Quick Pitch or her lifestyle content, where she’s been pretty open about the "hustle" it took to get back to the national stage. She’s essentially rebranded from a "team reporter" to a "national personality."
Next Steps for Following Her Career:
- Check the MLB Network Schedule: She is a regular on Quick Pitch, usually airing late nights during the baseball season.
- Watch MSG Networks: During the NHL season, look for her FanDuel-sponsored segments.
- Follow National PWHL Coverage: She remains a key voice in the growth of women's professional hockey.
She took the hit, stayed quiet for a year, and then showed up in a bigger market. Whether you agree with her past choices or not, her professional trajectory since 2022 is objectively impressive.