Tyrone Johnson’s final program at 97.5 The Fanatic aired as the second night of the NFL Draft was about to begin this past Friday. Johnson announced the news of his departure via social media, saying that he had a good run but has no regrets.
On Monday, he decided to go live on YouTube to provide some context on how his exit happened at The Fanatic.
“It was after the show; I’ll just be transparent. They brought me into the office, and it was nothing too complicated, nothing too crazy,” explained Johnson. “I knew what was coming, so I sat down, and it was just, we have to make a tough decision. I said, okay. They said they were going in a different direction. I said, okay, and that was it.”
Meanwhile, Johnson was the third piece of The Best Show Ever? to be replaced after the program launched in 2022 as a foursome between Johnson, Ricky Bottalico, Hunter Brody, and Jennifer Scordo. However, cuts at Beasley later led to Brody’s departure in 2023, and in 2024, Scordo left when she was also cut from the program. Notably, Brody has since landed at rival station 94WIP.
Nevertheless, Johnson was thankful for his time at The Fanatic but knew the decision to cut him was made some time ago.
“Yes. The decision had been made a while ago, and I was aware of it,” said Johnson. “It was just a job. My family is safe, and it’s not a life-or-death situation. I have to always keep it in perspective that this day was going to come. I’m not glad that it happened, but at the same time I’m not shocked that it happened either.”
In fact, Johnson initially joined 97.5 The Fanatic in October of 2016 as a producer and eventually worked his way up to hosting afternoon drive on the radio station. He served as Missanelli’s producer until the end of his program on The Fanatic in May of 2022, after not coming to terms on a new contract.
Subsequently, on Monday, the afternoon drive slot was filled by a new program called The Best Show Period with Ricky Bottalico hosting alongside Connor Thomas, who produces Kincade And Salciunas on The Fanatic.
“Seven years to me feels like a pretty good run in the afternoons,” said Johnson. “I didn’t want it to end, but I got to work with great people. I felt like I did a lot of good things.”
As for his next steps, Johnson says he’ll be stepping away for a while. However, he expects to get back to doing what he’s done in some shape or form.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
The word of the day is “FIRED”
fire
/ˈfī(ə)r/
verb
dismiss (an employee) from a job.
“97.5 fired Tyrone Johnson from his hosting position”
We enjoyed you every day and will miss you won’t be the same
The thing I respected the most about Ty was his belief in truth to power. I didn’t always agree with him but his transparency was always visible. Best of luck moving forward.
6:00 minutes in and no thank you to Mikey Miss?
Sorry, I turned it off at times. Too overbearing and loud. Glad Mike M. is back on the radio!
Honestly loved the show. Even on the Saturday show, you was about facts not feelings.
Worst ever in the history of sports talk radio Always criticizing fans
Tyrone was another in a long line of tedious Philly sports blowhards. Dime a dozen, and unbearable. His main problem, as with most of them, was validating his opinion by making it loud, louder and loudest.
He also fell into the trap of convincing himself that his opinion seriously- no, really!-was the difference in all matters sports. “ I’ll talk, you listen” became the subtext and force of his show, as well as the very reason why it was doomed to fail.
Next time, let your audience play along, If you can find one.
I’m sorry to hear of Tyrone’s departure from @975TheFanatic. I don’t want anyone to be unemployed. My only issue with him is his opinion was right and if you didn’t agree with it he would be a little rude. I wish him the best.
Loved the show, will definitely miss the team. Since Mike Miss came back, all he does is whine. Used to like him but now I turn him off.
Good, informative, but the voice and decibel level was insufferable
he forgot or never cared, the show was about the callers…opinion based, you can’t tell callers what there opinion is or call them stupid if they don’t agree with you…never respected the callers, thats what got him fired…hard lesson learned, hopefully
Ron got it right. He battled with the callers and didn’t mesh with them at all. It was his job to find a flaw in their argument and put them down. He just wasn’t personable friendly and fun enough.