Mike Mutnansky was recently named the co-host of the new Saturday morning WEEI.com Radio Show.
Mutnansky grew up a basketball junkie in Pepperell MA, and went to UConn simply for its basketball programs. While there he wrote for the UConn’s Daily Campus covering and traveling with the men’s basketball team for two years. During his Jr year he interned with Big Show at WEEI. He graduated a bachelor’s in journalism and communications.
After graduation, Mutnansky moved back to MA. He tried to get a job at a few of the local papers with no luck, and was days from going into pharmaceutical sales when he met Marty Tirrell. He had just left his evening show at 1510 the Zone, and was starting a sports show on the then 5000-watt 1590-AM WSMN in Nashua, NH. Mutnansky was able to land a job as a “flash guy/co-host” on an afternoon sports show Monday – Friday and a Saturday morning show. He also helped launch and execute “Friday Night Lights – NH High School Football in Action.”
WSMN and land of station was sold in early 2004. A summer of landscaping work followed for Mutnansky. Then, late that summer, Tom Monahan funded a similar sports show with Tirrell and Mutnansky on 900-AM Nashua. Monahan purchased the station soon afterwards and went to an all sports format. The show continues, and landed number of regular guests, including Bob Ryan.
In late 2005 Dennis & Callahan producer Steve Ciaccio called Mutnansky and offered him a chance to start doing occasional sports flashes at WEEI. By early 2006, Marty Tirrell had left the Nashua station and headed for the green pastures of Springfield. Mutnansky then assumed the lead role in Nashua.
He continues to work at WGAM (900-AM Nashua and 1250-AM in Manchester), hosting a weekday afternoon on show Mon-Fri 3:00-6:00pm while also filling in at WEEI. Last year, Mutnansky got the chance to start hosting and co-hosting at WEEI. It was mostly on weekends, and then this summer had the chance to host solo and also fill in on WEEI’s weekday programming, leading to the announcement about the WEEI.com Radio Show this week.
As for his philosphy on his job: “I am extremely, extremely lucky to be doing what I’m doing. The crew at WGAM and WEEI has been very supportive. The passion and energy of the New England fans is unmatched. I just try and match their energy and passion in any shift that I have. I’m not looking for anything scripted. Organic sports conversation that informs people, makes them laugh, makes them think. I like to argue. Hopefully I bring a bit of a younger voice to the station amongst all these “old guys.”
I still kind of have to pinch myself – I essentially grew up on Glenn and the Big Show. Now I get to take heat from them and their listeners on the Whiner Line. It’s a bit of a trip.
I’m fired up for the WEEI.com Radio Show Saturday mornings with Blogford, er, Mr. Bradford. Guys are out taking care of their honey-do lists and errands for the day. It’s a great time to talk sports. I’m thrilled at the chance to be a part of this new show.”
