Sports Host Mike Missanelli Leaving 97.5 The Fanatic

PHILADELPHIA — Popular Philadelphia sports radio host Mike Missanelli is no longer on the microphone as the host announced Tuesday was his last day.

Missanelli announced his departure during Tuesday's Mike Missanelli Show on 97.5 The Fanatic, shocking fans and colleagues.

“It’s difficult to get this out because it seems so surreal, but this is my last day as the host of 'The Mike Missanelli Show,'” he said on air.

Missanelli has been on the station for 15 years.

On air, Missanelli said his contract is set to expire in a few weeks and he and the station's parent company, Beasley Broadcast Group, decided to "go in another direction."

He and the company have discussed him remaining in some capacity.

"But who knows," he said.

The station has a new show under contract already, and Missanelli said listeners can expect to hear more about that in the coming days.

"I tried to give my heart with every show I did here for 15 years," he said. "I had some missteps in my career as you all know, but in the end I hope the good outweighed the bad and that people think I've been a positive part of this radio station's brand."

He said his goal was to be as honest and trustworthy as he could and offered apologies to any listeners he offended by discussing subjects "a little more serious than sports."

"I thought I needed to put a voice to some social issues that were important to us all," he said.

Missanelli's fans and colleagues shared their reactions on social media.

Co-host Tyrone Johnson called Missanelli's tenure a "legendary run."

"The city will be worse off without him," he said.

"We have to have a conversation about Beasley radio how they come in and just change shows for the sake of change," one fan said.

"Damn, disagreed with Mike Miss plenty of times but this was a tough listen," another tweeted. "Don't wanna see someone go out like that."

One fan called on Missanelli to start his own podcast.

"Time for a podcast @MikeMiss25," he tweeted. "I been listening since I was a kid … your the reason I switched to your sports channel … gonna miss u each day at 2."

"They will lose lots of listeners over this," another fan said online.