Philly Radio: Longtime Host Exits The Fanatic

Bob Cooney, the veteran Philadelphia Daily News sports writer who more recently has been a host at WPEN 97.5 The Fanatic, said on Wednesday he is no longer with the station.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports Cooney wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he was notified on Wednesday that the station is "moving in a different direction."

Cooney had been handling the midday shift in the wake of Anthony Gargano’s departure last fall to help launch AllCity Network’s AllPhly digital media outlet. He had been teaming with a rotating group of co-hosts, mainly newcomer Bill Colarulo and NBCSP host Amy Fadool.

“Wanted to say thanks to all who listened over the years during my time at The Fanatic,” Cooney told his followers on X. “Loved the conversations and getting to know a lot of you."

Bob Cooney

Program Director Scott Masteller would only confirm via email that Cooney had left the station.

Cooney joined the station in 2017 to team with Gargano during the morning drive shift. Gargano was moved to middays a year later in favor of John Kincade and Cooney stayed on the morning shift. The Fanatic (WPEN-FM) shook up its on-air lineup in March by moving Andrew Salciunas to work with Kincade at 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cooney moved from mornings to middays at that time.

Rumors have swirled for months that Mike Missanelli could be headed back to the station as a midday host. Masteller said Tuesday that he and Missanelli had been talking off and on for several months. Missanelli confirmed the same on his own podcast, saying he was made an offer but it was not satisfactory to him.

On Tuesday, The Fanatic and parent Beasley Media Group announced that former Philadelphia Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico has signed a multiyear contract extension to continue serving as co-host with Tyrone Johnson of the afternoon drive show.

The Fanatic is owned by Naples, Florida-based Beasley, which operates 59 radio stations across the country.