Much like how she ended the 2022 NFL season, sports reporter Aileen Hnatiuk is going viral once again.
Over the weekend, Hnatiuk — who became a social media sensation in January after a photo she took outside the Saints’ facility in Louisiana went viral — posted a snap from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where she’ll be covering the Buccaneers as a sports reporter for NBC affiliate WFLA 8.
“Fire the cannons!!” Hnatiuk captioned the post that featured her modeling a red shirt and white shorts.
Aileen Hnatiuk posted a snap from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in August 2023. Aileen Hnatiuk/Instagram
She became a social media sensation in January 2023 when a photo of her outside the Saints facility went viral. Aileen Hnatiuk/Instagram
Unsurprisingly, Buccaneers fans flooded the comments section of her post to express their excitement over Tampa Bay’s new arrival.
“I’m Running with Tampa Bay this year,” one fan remarked.
Another commented, “Can’t wait for reports on my buccaneers.”
Aileen Hnatiuk announced in June 2023 she was joining WFLA 8. Aileen Hnatiuk/Instagram
Hnatiuk first announced in June she was joining WFLA, remarking on X — the platform formerly known as Twitter — that it was the station she grew up watching.
“I’ll be covering the Bucs, Lightning, Rays, Rowdies, USF & more. Grateful doesn’t do this feeling justice to be blessed with this opportunity,” she posted in a series of messages.
“THANK YOU. Every viewer, coach, player & staff member…for your time & for accepting this Florida girl. I’ve been blessed to cover & tell the stories of THE BEST athletes & programs in the entire country. I will never take that for granted, ever..”
She boasts more than 68,000 followers on Instagram. Aileen Hnatiuk/Instagram
Saints fans didn’t take the news particularly well, openly mourning the departure of one of their favorite sports media personalities.
“Come back to Louisiana please,” one user wrote in Hnatiuk’s Instagram comments.
“Haven’t been this bummed over a Saints free agent loss since Trey,” a separate fan wrote, appearing to reference the 2021 exit of defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the Bengals.
Aileen Hnatiuk reports on the Saints in 2022. Aileen Hnatiuk/Instagram
Hnatiuk appears to be settling into her new surroundings, posting a video Monday that featured her boots on the ground for a Buccaneers preseason game.
“FOOTBALL SZN IS HERE,” she gushed on Instagram.
The Buccaneers open their season of the road against the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Bucs fans celebrate reporter Aileen Hnatiuk’s switch from Saints
