The Fanatic suspends Missanelli over homophobic emails
The Fanatic 97.5 has suspended radio host Mike Missanelli in light of the homophobic emails he sent to a listener who has reportedly been a consistent problem. Deadspin published an email exchange purportedly between Missanelli and an apparent troll while the rest of us were snowed in on Monday.
UPDATE: Sports radio personality Mike Missanelli has issued an apology in the wake of several homophobic emails he sent to a listener that triggered a suspension from 97.5 The Fanatic.
Here is Missanelli's statement:
I apologize to anyone I have offended with such a poor choice of words. I am facing the consequences of those words. The person in question is a serial e-mailer who has been harassing me and threatening violence on me and my family for years, using countless e-mail addresses and computer servers to send his poisonous messages. Inquiries to discover his identity and have the law enforcement authorities deal with him have not thus far been successful. My response to him was a desperate attempt to get him to cease and desist, or at least discover the motivation for his hatred and obsession towards me. Anyone who knows me or has ever listened to my show knows that I would NEVER cast aspersions on anyone's culture or lifestyle.
From earlier: The Fanatic 97.5, Philadelphia ESPN Radio affiliate, has suspended host Mike Missanelli in light of homophobic emails he sent to a listener who has reportedly been a consistent problem.
Deadspin published an email exchange purportedly between Missanelli and an apparent troll while the rest of us were snowed in on Monday.
The station has confirmed that the email exchange is real and has responded accordingly.
On Tuesday, The Fanatic issued an official statement explaining the persistent nature of the listner's contact with Missanelli and the inappropriate response that the host had to offer.
"We are aware of the email communications between Mike and one of his listeners. This individual has been harassing Mike by email for several years, which is cause for concern, and we are working with Mike to try to identify this person and stop the abuse. However, that does not excuse Mike's conduct. The content of his emails is unacceptable and does not reflect our values as a company. Mike has been suspended and understands that future similar conduct will not be tolerated."