Former Philly Sports Radio Host Charged with Assault

Mike Missanelli faces simple assault and harassment charges after alleged incident with fiancé

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a violent domestic incident.A recent wave of domestic violence cases involving public figures has sparked renewed calls for accountability and support for victims.Philadelphia Today

Mike Missanelli, a well-known former sports radio personality in Philadelphia, has been arrested and charged with simple assault and harassment following an alleged incident with his fiancé. According to a criminal complaint, police were called to Missanelli's home in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where they found his fiancé with visible injuries after Missanelli allegedly slapped her during an argument.

Why it matters

Missanelli was a longtime fixture in the Philadelphia sports media landscape, hosting shows on several local radio stations over the course of his career. This arrest raises questions about domestic violence issues within the sports media industry and the accountability of public figures.

The details

The criminal complaint states that police were called to Missanelli's home just after midnight on April 8, 2026 after someone called 911 and hung up. When officers arrived, Missanelli said he and his fiancé had gotten into a 'scuffle' during an argument. However, Missanelli's fiancé told police that he had open-hand slapped her on the left side of her face, causing a laceration and swelling to her ear. Officers reported seeing what appeared to be fresh blood on her forehead.

  • The incident occurred just after midnight on April 8, 2026.
  • Missanelli is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 22, 2026.

The players

Mike Missanelli

A 70-year-old former long-time sports radio host in Philadelphia, known for his work on stations like 97.5 The Fanatic, 610 WIP, and 93.3 WMMR.

Missanelli's Fiancé

The alleged victim in this incident, who reported that Missanelli slapped her during an argument about their engagement.

Lower Merion Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the 911 call and arrested Missanelli.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When speaking with Missanelli's fiancé, she said the couple had been arguing about their engagement when he open hand slapped her on the left side of her face.”

— Missanelli's Fiancé

What’s next

Missanelli is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 22, 2026, where a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the charges.

The takeaway

This arrest of a prominent local media figure raises concerns about domestic violence issues within the sports industry and the accountability of public figures. It will be important to follow the legal proceedings to see how this case unfolds and what impact it may have on Missanelli's future.