A look back at some of Mike’s most obnoxious, outrageous & controversial moments…..
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Mike Missanelli: A Controversial and Combustible Sports Media Personality
Mike Missanelli has long been a fixture in Philadelphia sports radio, known for his fiery temperament, confrontational style, and deeply polarizing presence on and off the air. Over the years, he has repeatedly found himself at the center of controversy—from belittling a pro athlete’s injury, to making sexist and homophobic remarks, to physical altercations with colleagues. His career includes firings from multiple outlets (WIP, 6ABC), suspensions, public apologies, and lawsuits.
Despite his passionate defense of Philadelphia and its sports culture, Missanelli has frequently undermined his credibility through behavior that many have deemed offensive, unprofessional, or hypocritical. His tendency to lash out—whether at callers, co-hosts, or even behind the scenes—paints a picture of someone who thrives on confrontation but struggles with accountability. Recent legal disputes, including both suing for unpaid compensation and allegedly refusing to pay his own debts, underscore an ongoing pattern of volatility and inconsistency in both personal conduct and business dealings.
Telling Eagles kicker David Akers he ‘acted like a girl’ 2005:
Missanelli was hosting the midday show with Anthony Gargano on WIP 610 in 2005 when he got into a now infamous spat with David Ackers live on air. Akers had kicked a game-winning field goal in the Eagles’ 23-20 win over the Oakland Raiders while suffering from a torn hamstring — and cried afterwards, which Missanelli called “dramatic.” When Akers called in to respond, pointing out Missanelli was never a pro athlete, so wouldn’t know what it’s like. Missanelli retorted that Akers wasn’t a professional athlete, either, but only a kicker. Later on, when Akers’ agent called the station, Missanelli said, “He was acting like a girl.” The radio host eventually apologized.
Getting fired from WIP for (allegedly) punching a producer 2006:
Missanelli got into a well-publicized fight with producer Brian Robbins, whom he reportedly hit during a remote broadcast in Ardmore. In a statement released by WIP 610, the station said it was terminating Missanelli for “violating company policy.” Punching your co-worker likely goes against most companies’ code of conduct.
Dropping ‘Google me’ on Skip Bayless 2009:
Missanelli made many passionate defenses when national sports commentators attempted to define Philly sports fans as deplorable. In one of his most well-known of these interactions, in 2009, Missanelli took on talking head Skip Bayless. On ESPN’s First Take, Bayless described a different fanbase as using “Philly-style, rude, crude, dangerous behavior in the stands.” Bayless agreed to call into Missanelli’s show to discuss — and then claimed he didn’t know who he was talking to. Missanelli responded by saying, “Just Google me when we’re off the phone.”
Being suspended for homophobic taunts in an email exchange 2014:
Drawn out, back-and-forth arguments with callers were one of Missanelli’s signatures, but he didn’t just confine that to on air. A 2014 email exchange uncovered by Deadspin shows the radio host’s side of an exchange with a listener. Whatever the original fight was about is lost, because in sequential messages, Missanelli resorts to hurling insults — or what he believes are insults. He accuses the listener of being gay as a derogatory statement, equating it with “freak” or “weirdo.” That earned him a suspension from 97.5. And yes, Missanelli yet again apologized.
Celebrating a Giants wide receiver’s knee injury 2014:
Outside of the Cowboys, the Eagles’ biggest rivals are probably the Giants. During a Philly-New York matchup in October 2014, Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, a season-ending injury. Missanelli celebrated after it happened, posting on Twitter, “Hey Giants fans: Victor Cruz is over. Dance to that.” There was immediate backlash, and he eventually deleted the tweet. “I apologize for the Cruz tweet. I didn’t see that he got hurt on the play,” a new Missanelli tweet claimed. “Was outside the stadium and saw he dropped [the ball] walking to my car”
Regular ‘black’ caller to Missanelli’s 97.5 show outed as white producer at station 2016:
Crossing Broad ran a story that claimed regular Missanelli caller “Dwayne From Swedesboro,” who is black, was actually Pat Egan, a white producer at the station. That original story was picked up by national outlets such as Deadspin and the New York Post. The story was true, and “Dwayne From Swedesboro” was a character created for entertainment value. And according to Missanelli, Egan, and Jason Myrteus (who co-hosts and produces Missanelli’s show) Of course, the idea of promoting a fake caller is only a small part of the controversy. The idea of a white producer creating what Crossing Broad called “a stereotypical black guy with paternity test problems” is sure to be offensive to some, if not many, of the station’s black callers.
Getting fired by 6ABC for sexist comments about an ESPN reporter 2017:
Beth Mowins in 2017 became the first woman to broadcast a regular season NFL game on ESPN’s Monday Night Football — and Missanelli decided to weigh in. “It just to me sounds unnatural for her to be calling the NFL,” he said on his 97.5 show. “Now, in college, it sounds sort of unnatural as well. But I can live with college. But this is prime time, Monday Night Football. I didn’t catch a lot of the game. Was she good? If she did a good job, then I’m wrong.” It was obvious to many he was wrong to even make the suggestion, and it cost him a weekly TV gig he’d picked up when 6ABC fired him from its Sports Sunday show. But he continued on ESPN-owned 97.5 The Fanatic all the way through May 2022. The show is now being helmed by former co-host Tyrone Johnson, working with Hunter Brody and producer Jen Scordo.
Mike Missanelli throws headset, berates producer over birdwatch lady argument 2020:
A woman who called the cops on a New York City birdwatcher appears to be at the center of an argument that enraged Mike Missanelli of 97.5 The Fanatic, prompting him to throw his headset and scream at his producer on Tuesday’s simulcast episode of The Mike Missanelli Show. This led what appears to be a dispute between Missanelli, producer Tyrone Johnson, and sports update anchor Natalie Egenolf. With Johnson and Egenolf seemingly aligned on the subject, Missanelli played the contrarian role to the anger of his co-hosts. “You’re looking at it like a layperson and I’m looking at it like an attorney,” Missanelli said to Johnson and Egenolf prior to the argument escalating. After repeated pleas from his co-hosts, Missanelli’s tone and demeanor pivots quickly at the end of the segment, with Missanelli throwing his headset across the studio as the show just before the broadcast cuts to commercial. “Mike tried to pull the, ‘I’m a lawyer’ shit. Tyrone then read him the actual law,” one station employee said to PhillyVoice on Tuesday evening. “Natalie is agreeing with [Tyrone], so now Mike has been embarrassed and has the rest of his show ‘ganging’ up on him. And he threw a temper tantrum because he’s a f**king child.
Missanelli files lawsuit against Jakib Media 2024:
JAKIB MEDIA is being sued by 97.5 The Fanatic sports radio host Missanelli for alleged failure to pay him $85,000. Krause’s argument is that Missanelli did not fulfill his contract obligations in the two years he worked for JAKIB Media. Posted on X that Missanelli “verbally threatened & attempted to physically attack” the company’s founder, Joe Krause, in a Montgomery County courthouse lobby on Thursday, Nov 22, 2024.
Mike Missanelli Rips Crossing Broad and “Misogynist, Racist Scumbag” Dan Sileo 2025:
Mike: “That is a typical response from people who really want to think they’re better than sports talk radio. In this case, it’s hard to believe that Crossing Swords would think that. But the author of this is that Kevin Kinkead, and.. he mocks the callers that call. ‘Does anybody really want to hear from Bobby in the Northeast?’ Here’s the thing – first of all, those same people he calls ‘idiots’ for calling sports talk radio are the same idiots who keep Crossing Broad afloat…” Objection, your honor! Crossing Broad readers are not idiots. Crossing Broad readers are among the most erudite in the Delaware Valley. This is well known.’
Parallels and Irony: Mike Missanelli’s Non-Payment Dispute 2025:
Mike has always been outspoken and passionate about Philly sports, often defending the city but also engaging in prejudiced rants and volatile behavior. His controversies included sexist and homophobic remarks, celebrating a player’s injury, and alleged physical altercations, leading to multiple suspensions and firings from WIP and 6ABC.
Amid Mike Missanelli’s ongoing case against Jakib Media for alleged non-payment, an ironic parallel has surfaced. While Missanelli is seeking compensation for services he rendered to them, he is simultaneously declining to pay for website services provided for him by another firm. This situation raises questions about accountability and consistency in honoring business agreements. As the case against Jakib Media unfolds, attention now turns to Missanelli’s own dealings and whether he will uphold the same financial obligations he expects from others.
During the period of servicing, the firm, in good faith, allowed payments to be made through revenue generated via a third-party service provider, Cameo. However, Mike Missanelli violated the agreed-upon terms, leading to the termination of this arrangement and the subsequent demand for full payment.
As a result, legal action will proceed in a timely manner to recover the outstanding balance that dates back to March 2023.
Subject: Notice of Outstanding Balance and Unauthorized Use of Services
According to records maintained by our firm, Mr. Mike Missanelli has an outstanding balance due. Legal proceedings are currently being prepared in connection with this matter.
Additionally, Mr. Missanelli continues to promote the website and legacy services previously provided, despite having no legal authority or contractual right to do so. This unauthorized use may result in further legal action.
As of APRIL 5, 2025 on X