Barely a month after KNBR drew appreciable criticism for shedding Greg Papa as he was experiencing well being points, “The Sports activities Chief” is already bringing the Bay Space broadcasting legend again to the station.
Papa will return to the station he labored at for seven years in a hybrid host-featured visitor position, Cumulus introduced Thursday. KNBR afternoon host Adam Copeland broke the information in the course of the station’s 49ers Roundtable, the place seven hosts gathered to preview the upcoming NFL season, with the in-person viewers at Almanac Beer Firm’s Alameda taproom applauding the information. (Copeland mentioned Papa could not be part of them on the air due to a “scheduling battle” on Thursday.)
Commercial
The information comes simply 5 weeks after Papa was laid off from the noon KNBR present he co-hosted with Greg Silver. In an ironic twist, Papa was changed by his former co-host John Lund, who himself had been laid off by the station in 2024. Copeland mentioned Papa will host an hour with Lund on the each day noon present whereas additionally being an everyday visitor on the morning and afternoon exhibits.
Cumulus was sharply criticized across the Bay Space and sports activities world for shedding Papa, together with by KNBR staff on the airwaves. Two days after information broke, Cumulus put out a uncommon assertion late on a Friday evening addressing Papa’s exit.
“We’re not in a position to touch upon the specifics of his departure, however we need to be clear about this: our respect and gratitude for every thing Greg has given to KNBR, its listeners, and its workforce runs deep,” the assertion, which was not attributed to any individual, learn. “We’re persevering with to discover methods we are able to carry his voice again to the station, and we want Greg energy, therapeutic, and a full restoration.”
Papa hasn’t been on KNBR airwaves for many of 2026, as he is confronted appreciable well being challenges. Papa briefly left each KNBR and his position because the play-by-play man for 49ers radio broadcasts final summer time when he introduced he was identified with leukemia. Papa acquired a profitable bone marrow transplant this spring however was hospitalized twice after the transplant, the second time lasting 78 days after his lungs collapsed. However Papa has been recovering quickly in current weeks, which left him shocked at being laid off, quipping to NBC Bay Space that he “went from terminal to terminated.”
Commercial
Papa has picked up some work within the month since being pushed out of KNBR, rising his presence on NBC Sports activities Bay Space’s 49ers exhibits and including extra frequent appearances on NBC Bay Space’s weekly soccer exhibits within the fall. He instructed SFGATE he wasn’t certain how typically he’ll be capable of do a full 49ers sport broadcast, however he intends to return to the sales space if his well being permits.
Papa additionally instructed SFGATE doing each day radio exhibits wouldn’t be a problem for him health-wise, particularly if he is in a position to do them remotely from his East Bay residence. Now, he’ll be capable of do precisely that after once more in a transfer that’s sure to trigger some whiplash for listeners and station staff.
It ought to come as no shock that KNBR has rehired somebody it beforehand laid off or fired. Lund and Papa have returned after current layoffs, and Larry Krueger is now on his third separate stint at “The Sports activities Chief” as a part-time host and visitor targeted on the 49ers. However Krueger and Lund have been away from the station for greater than a 12 months. Papa’s whole time from fired to rehired will find yourself being all of 36 days.
This can be a breaking information story and might be up to date.
Commercial
Extra 49ers
– 49ers proprietor Jed York filed for divorce months earlier than arrest
– ESPN story says 49ers stopped Shanahan from releasing crash report
– The Nick Bosa-Ryan Clark beef, from a MAGA hat to a single emoji
– The darkish, fascinating lifetime of Christian McCaffrey’s grandfather
Full 49ers protection
For all of our Bay Space sports activities protection, join The Catch publication right here.
This text initially printed at KNBR rehires Greg Papa a month after laying him off.
