Mike Missanelli, the lawyer turned Philly sports media personality, was arrested by Lower Merion Police and charged Wednesday with simple assault and harassment in connection with a domestic dispute in Wynnewood.
An affidavit for probable cause said Missanelli, best known in the Philadelphia region for his 15 years as a radio host at 97.5 The Fanatic, was in a heated argument with his fiancee over their engagement. His fiancee’s name was redacted from court records.
Police responded to a 911 hangup shortly after midnight Wednesday where Missanelli told officers the argument led to a “scuffle.”
She struck him in the chest and Missanelli “open hand slapped her on the left side of her face/head,” according to police. One officer said he saw fresh blood on the fiancee’s forehead from a laceration caused by the slap.
Missanelli could not be reached after his arraignment Wednesday and had no attorney listed. Missanelli was released on $10,000 unsecured bail with the condition he have no contact with the victim.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 22.
Prolific at his peak popularity, Missanelli has faced controversy in the past.
He was fired from WIP in 2006 after he punched a producer. He was then fired by 6abc in 2017 for misogynistic comments he made about Beth Mowins, an ESPN broadcaster.
In recent years, Missanelli has been in the news for various job changes. After 15 years with The Fanatic, he was pushed out by management in 2022, brought back in 2024, only to be ousted once more last August.
As of October, the sports broadcaster has found a home in podcasting, hosting the On Pattison Podcast with Anthony SanFilippo. The Fiderei News Network, home to On Pattison, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.