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| Mike and me on the set of PHL17 Morning News |
There is an old adage in radio, that you're not really IN radio until you have been fired. As someone who once went through this awful experience, I can tell you this had nothing to do with Mike's performance, or his ratings, or anything else. Mike, like everyone else Beasley let go in all of their markets, was strictly a budget cut. No other thought is given to these decisions besides money. In Mike's case, I wonder if the Beasley brass knows what a big name he is in this market. I don't know for a fact, but if I had to guess, I would say no.
Mike posted on social media, saying he was told after his show on Friday that he was done. That's usually how it happens in radio. You don't know that your last show is your last show, until after the show is over. When it happened to me, it was May 19, 2009...not that I remember it or anything. I had a previously scheduled meeting with my Program Director, for an "aircheck session". That's when the PD listens to a recent show and critiques it. I was doing middays on 95.7 BEN-FN, 10am til 3pm, and my meeting was scheduled for 3, right after my show. That morning she emailed me and said we had to move it to 2:30, and I could "track" my last two breaks on the air. Right after they broke the news to me, my final break was airing. I have the distinction of getting laid off, and then listening to my own final break ever on the station. Radio is a cruel business.
In Mike's social media post, he said he was planning to retire...with dignity...at the end of his contract in February. Mike deserved better. He deserved a chance to say goodbye. I cannot adequately convey what Mike has meant to sports radio here in the Delaware Valley. To me, Mike is on the Philly Sports Radio Mt. Rushmore. He is one of the best ever, and he is the one who put the Fanatic on the map. He gave that station instant credibility back when he did afternoons. If you recall, when Mike joined the station, it was still on AM, as "950 ESPN". The company moved it to FM, and Mike was the one who kicked it off on the FM side. When the other dayparts were getting clobbered by WIP, Mike held his own in afternoons, and eventually became #1.
What's next for Mike? Who knows? He was doing a podcast for Bet Rivers before rejoining 97.5, and the podcast was very good. Maybe he does that again. Maybe he goes to WIP part-time. Mike will always have options...because he's Mike Missanelli. Of course, one of those options is...nothing. He can do that too if he wants.
One of the things I admire most about Mike is his versatility. I have huge respect for versatility in broadcasting. Think of all the things Mike has done, and done well. We know he is one of the greats in sports talk radio, but 25 years or so ago, he gets an offer from Channel 17 (then "WB17") to be the sports anchor on their 10pm news. That's where I got to know Mike. He had never done it before, but he was fantastic. You may also remember Mike did mornings on WMMR, pre Preston and Steve, and he was great doing rock radio too. Anything he tried, he was successful.
The same cannot be said for Beasley Media, especially when it comes to their sports station. I remember asking this same question when they laid off Tyrone Johnson months ago. How can they be competitive against a juggernaut like WIP, when Beasley keeps laying people off? Ray Dunne, who did the midday show today and I guess will be doing so for the foreseeable future, is a really talented kid. I enjoy listening to him. But he's not Mike, and it's a David vs Goliath scenario with him going against Joe Giglio and Hugh Douglas on WIP. The only "name" they have on the station now is John Kincade. Kincade is great, not to mention a hell of a nice guy. But the station has relegated him to a co-host role, while Andrew Salciunas quarterbacks the morning show. Nothing against Andrew, who is very good and has lots of talent, but that should be Kincade's show to run
I have to wonder how much longer The Fanatic will be around. What I don't have to wonder about is the legacy of Mike Missanelli in Philadelphia. He is one of the all-time greats, on and off the air, and he deserved a lot better. I'll miss hearing him.