Tyrone Johnson knows that nothing in this business is guaranteed. This is a guy that has had just about every job you can in radio – sports and otherwise. In 2022, he finally became the host of his own show. Two years later, he’s still holding down afternoon drive at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, but there has been plenty of change around him.
First, the show lost co-host Hunter Brodie, who was laid off by parent company Beasley Broadcasting in 2023. Earlier this year, it was time to say goodbye to executive producer Jenn Scordo when she was let go.
Johnson and co-host Ricky Bottalico have been thrown their fair share of curve balls, but Johnson says he doesn’t think the show is stuck in a state of just trying to survive.
“I like the show, today,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, some of the changes that happened, and none of them were my choices. But overall, I’m very pleased with the state of the show right now.”
Coming from the other side of the glass, Tyrone Johnson says there is a lot he cannot turn off in his mind. He has some strong opinions about the way a show is supposed to work, but he tries to make that a problem for himself, not for his colleagues, especially not his producers.
“I’m still prepping the show as if I’m producing the show,” he says, clarifying that he isn’t stepping on toes. He just cannot let himself feel unprepared and that, in his view is the job of a producer.
He equates the host/producer relationship to a player/coach relationship. A player has to go out there and perform, but the coach’s job is to have that player as prepared as he can possibly be.
The last time Johnson was anyone’s producer, that anyone was Mike Missanelli. After two years apart, Missanelli and 97.5 The Fanatic reunited earlier this month. He and Johnson aren’t reunited, Missanelli is in middays while Johnson remains in afternoons.
Still, there are plenty of people that would like for them to be reunited. That makes Johnson want to say the F word.
Flattered. What were you thinking?
It wasn’t the F word I was thinking of either. It’s human nature to want to return to the familiar, so while it makes sense that some listeners are connecting dots in their minds, isn’t it a little frustrating for Johnson? After all, he has grown professionally. He has proven that he can do the same job Missanelli can. Even if it’s meant as a compliment about the previous work they did together, doesn’t Johnson want people to get away from tying he and Missanelli together?
“Some people, before a football game, need the coach’s pep talk,” he explains. “I was a person who was more like, ‘You know what, coach? Tell me about the game plan.’ I don’t need the pep talk because I kind of show up ready. Everybody’s different in that way, and that makes it less frustrating.
“I hear it. I’m aware of it, but it doesn’t bother me only because I can just do the best job I can do every day. Whether they liked me or didn’t like me, my work doesn’t change.”
Another thing that makes it less frustrating is that chatter isn’t coming from inside his own building. Scott Masteller took over as program director of 97.5 The Fanatic in January and Johnson says that “has been a tremendous blessing.”
“He actually believes in me,” Johnson says, “and that’s not a knock on anybody else, but it feels really good to show up to work and know that your boss really believes in you and wants to give you tools to make you better every single day, and to be available if you have any questions that can make you better. So, it’s been a breath of fresh air. It’s helped me immensely to have Scott in the building.”
Masteller doesn’t make his support of Johnson a secret. He was eager to tell me that he is pleased with the progress the afternoon show has made and the work Johnson has done to get it there.
You’ve seen the ratings in Philadelphia. WIP’s lead over The Fanatic is no secret, but both Masteller and Johnson point out that there’s a lot to be optimistic about in afternoon drive.
“It’s been slow growth, but it’s been steady every single book, and I just want to thank everybody for riding with us on this journey,” Johnson says.
Nothing in sports radio moves the needle like the NFL does, so that growth may be about to get a nice boost.
Johnson swears Eagles fans have been more patient with the team since winning Super Bowl LII, but disharmony between a quarterback and head coach is a gift no matter what market you’re in. The reaction may not always be what he expects, but Johnson knows all of his listeners have an opinion they want to share.
“It used to be a lot more negative than it is now,” he says. “There are some fans right now that won’t actually believe that Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts aren’t best friends. That would have never even have occurred to a single fan pre-Super Bowl.”
Growth doesn’t come always easily, and it almost never comes quickly. There’s plenty Tyrone Johnson will admit he still needs to work on. His show has seen a lot of change since it went on the air just two years ago, but what he has now is working. He’s confident that he’s on the right path. He’s been on so many different paths during his time in this business, that he should know when what he is doing isn’t working.
Demetri Ravanos is a columnist and features writer for Barrett Media. He is also the creator of The Sports Podcast Festival, and a previous host on the Chewing Clock and Media Noise podcasts. He occasionally fills in on stations across the Carolinas in addition to hosting Panthers and College Football podcasts. His radio resume includes stops at WAVH and WZEW in Mobile, AL, WBPT in Birmingham, AL and WBBB, WPTK and WDNC in Raleigh, NC.
You can find him on Twitter @DemetriRavanos or reach him by email at DemetriTheGreek@gmail.com.
