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THE AIR Missanelli to lose job as WPHL sports anchor The "Open Mike" will be shut off. The "Open Mike" will be shut off. Sources say that WPHL weekday sports anchor Mike Missanelli's contract won't be renewed in November, partially because WPHL general manager Leslie Glenn is unhappy that Missanelli also works for WIP 610-AM. According to sources, Glenn is looking to hire a sports director who will work only for WPHL - in time for November sweeps. Missanelli, arguably the most recognizable name on the station, arrived in November 2000 and almost effortlessly made the transition from radio to television. Throughout his tenure doing sports on the 10 p.m. news, he continued his highly rated 3- 7 p.m. shift on WIP, where the Bristol native reportedly earns in the low six-figure range. Estimates place his salary at WPHL at about half his take from the radio. With Missanelli's departure, the sports staff will be completely overhauled from the beginning of the year. Weekend sports anchor Jenna Wolfe and two producers already have left WPHL, which ranks fifth among the five local broadcast stations in the news ratings. Missanelli, who was one of the few weekday sports anchors not afraid to give a strong opinion, could apply to Comcast SportsNet, which is losing sports anchor Scott Hanson to Comcast SportsNet in the Washington, D.C. area. "I looked at TV as a year-by-year thing," Missanelli said. "I would have stayed, but they wanted to go in another direction, and that's certainly their prerogative. "I'm grateful for the opportunity. WB 17 took a chance making me an anchor in a major market. I liked it a lot, and I think most people thought I did a pretty good job. Hopefully, there will be another opportunity for me down the road. "I'm looking forward spending some more time with my 11-year old daughter. It's been a tough grind working six days a week for two years."
Philadelphia will be in the spotlight this weekend on
ABC, ESPN, and ESPN for "X Games" coverage, including a prime
time special on ABC from 7- 9 p.m. Sunday. Some of the new camera angles
will come from the Flycam, Helmetcam, and Bikecam. WPVI also will air
nightly recaps following the 11 p.m. news starting Monday with Gary
"X" Papa.
How in the name of "Michael Jack Schmidt" is
Harry Kalas good enough to make the baseball Hall of Fame, but not be
nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award? The only nominees for
outstanding individual achievement - sports play-by-play or color
commentary - are Jim Jackson of Comcast SportsNet and Mark Zumoff for
Sixers basketball.
Beasley Reece and Garry Cobb will host "Eagles
2002: High Expectations" prior to the Eagles-Patriots game at 7
p.m. tomorrow on Channel 3. Steve Bucci and his sling will be in New
England at brand new Gillette Field. Then Phil Simms and Greg Gumbel
will call the game for CBS at 8.
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