Philly Radio: The Fan's Mike Missanelli Suspended

Mike Missanelli

UPDATE WEDNESDAY 1PM:  Mike Missanelli has issued an apology in the wake of several homophobic emails he sent to a listener that triggered a suspension from WPEN 97.5 The Fanatic.

Here is Missanelli's statement:

"I apologize to anyone I have offended with such a poor choice of words. I am facing the consequences of those words. The person in question is a serial e-mailer who has been harassing me and threatening violence on me and my family for years, using countless e-mail addresses and computer servers to send his poisonous messages. Inquiries to discover his identity and have the law enforcement authorities deal with him have not thus far been successful. My response to him was a desperate attempt to get him to cease and desist, or at least discover the motivation for his hatred and obsession towards me. Anyone who knows me or has ever listened to my show knows that I would NEVER cast aspersions on anyone's culture or lifestyle.

Earlier Posting...

Popular Philly sports radio talk show host Mike Missanelli has been suspended from his midday show in the wake of a series of email exchanges with a listener in which Missanelli alleged the man was gay, according to delcotimes.com.

Greater Media Inc., parent company of WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic, released a statement saying the emails, first published on the website Deadspin, were unacceptable behavior.

The station added that Missanelli, one of the station’s top on-air talents who handles the crucial afternoon drive time slot, had been “harassed” by the emailer for years, but that did not excuse his responses.

Here is the text of Greater Media’s statement:

“We are aware of the email communications between Mike and one of his listeners. This individual has been harassing Mike by email for several years, which is cause for concern, and we are working with Mike to try to identify this person and stop the abuse. However, that does not excuse Mike’s conduct. The content of his emails is unacceptable and does not reflect our values as a company. Mike has been suspended and understands that future similar conduct will not be tolerated.

There is no indication how long the suspension will be in place.

Two other 97.5 The Fanatic on-air personalities, Jon Marks and Sean Brace, handled Missanelli’s afternoon slot on Tuesday.