Sports radio personality Mike Missanelli was taken into police custody on April 8, 2026, by the Lower Merion Police Department after a violent domestic dispute took place at his home located in the Wynnewood section of Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Missanelli, 70, is being charged with one misdemeanor count of simple assault and one summary offense of harassment.
News reports state that local law enforcement officers responded to Missanelli’s residence around 12:10 a.m. in response to a 911 hangup call. Details contained in the criminal complaint against the sports radio host describe an argument between Missanelli and his soon-to-be wife that quickly turned physical. He reportedly told the responding officers that the couple got into a “scuffle” while having a heated conversation about their engagement.
Missanelli then said that his fiancee hit him in the chest, though police on the scene noted they found no visible signs of injuries. The fiancee told police a different account of what transpired, claiming that Missanelli “open-hand slapped her” on the left side of her face and head. Officers found a visible laceration on the side of her head with fresh blood and swelling around her ear.
The radio personality was arrested at the scene. He was released later the same morning after having a preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge John I. McMahon Jr., according to Trending Politics News. His unsecured bail was set for $10,000. The judge also issued a no-contact order that prohibits Missanelli from having any communication with his fiancee.
A preliminary hearing has been set for April 22, 2026, to be presided over by Magisterial District Judge Karen Eisner Zucker in Montgomery County. Missanelli’s current media outlet, Fideri News Network, put out a statement through Chief of Staff and spokesperson Olivia DeMarco addressing the violent altercation and subsequent charges the host is facing.
“The Fideri News Network, corporate parent of On Pattison, became aware of the charges against Mike Missanelli this afternoon through media reports. In light of the nature of the allegations, Mike will not be a part of the On Pattison Podcast during the legal process,” DeMarco went on to say. “Fideri News understands the serious nature of these allegations and condemns all acts of domestic violence. We will continue to monitor the situation.”
Missanelli is well-known in the Philadelphia area due to having a decades-long career in the field of sports media. He started his career as a sports journalist and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer before making the jump to radio. He also worked for 610 WIP, which is now SportsRadio 94 WIP, hosting a variety of sports talk shows. However, he was booted from his position in 2006 after he got into an on-air altercation with a producer.
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Later, Missanelli joined 97.5 The Fanatic, where he had success during the midday and afternoon time slots. His program topped local ratings and was simulcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He has also co-hosted on national radio with popular and oftentimes controversial personality Stephen A. Smith, and appeared as a TV panelist on postgame shows, along with making contributions to other media outlets. Missanelli is deeply left-wing and often used his platform to trash President Donald Trump and his supporters.
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