Philly Radio: Street Talk ..Is Mike Missanelli Returning to The Fanatic?

WPEN 97.5 The Fanatic announced a lineup shake-up on Friday that will see Andrew Salciunas move to mornings and former Daily News writer Bob Cooney shift to middays.

But, The Philly Inquirer reports, what was left unsaid is whether former Fanatic host Mike Missanelli would be returning.

Rumors have been swirling in sports radio circles the past few days about the return of Missanelli, once the station’s biggest star whose sudden exit from his afternoon show in 2022 after 15 years shocked listeners.

“Mike’s name has come up. He’s a great talent, and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” new program director Scott Masteller told The Inquirer. “A lot of people are interested in the radio station right now. So I’ll leave it at that.”

Mike Missanelli

Since leaving the station, Missanelli has hosted a podcast for BetRivers and been part of JAKIB Media’s Eagles postgame show, alongside former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner, former Fanatic host Marc Farzetta, and Kayla Santiago.

His return would be as surprising as his exit, especially after accusing Fanatic management of lying about the terms of his departure.

Missanelli claimed he decided to walk away during contract negotiations after discovering The Fanatic already had a show featuring Tyrone Johnson, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Ricky Bottalico, Hunter Brody, and Jen Scordo under contract. Brody was laid off by The Fanatic back in July and is currently a fill-in host at WIP.

The lineup changes are the first shake-up under Masteller, who took over in January facing the need to fill a hole in programming vacated by Anthony Gargano, who was suspended and ultimately terminated over his involvement with new sports outlet PHLY.

Salciunas moving to the mornings is the biggest move. Masteller said Salciunas will become the show’s “facilitator” and lead content discussion. That will free up current morning show host John Kincade, who replaced Farzetta at the station in 2021, to react to big stories and offer his opinion.

Here’s what The Fanatic’s new lineup will look like, beginning Monday:

• Mornings, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Andrew Salciunas and John Kincade, with Connor Thomas producing
• Middays, 10 a.m. to noon: Bob Cooney, with Ray Dunne assisting
• Afternoons, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Best Show Ever? with Tyrone Johnson, Ricky Bottalico and Jenn Scordo
• Evenings, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Pat Egan, when the station isn’t airing Sixers, Flyers, or Union games
• Weekends, 9 a.m. to noon: Bill Colarulo

The decision to move Salciunas to mornings shifts Bob Cooney to middays as host from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and puts his fellow "John Kincade Show" co-host Pat Egan in the host's chair for Philly Sports Tonight.

The Fanatic's "The Best Show Ever?" afternoon drive show, which replaced Missanelli from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., will remain unchanged with hosts Tyrone Johnson, Ricky Bottalico and Jennifer Scordo.