Cumulus Media, owner of KNBR, has released a statement following the termination of beloved Bay Area sports broadcaster Greg Papa. The station stated, "We’re not able to comment on the specifics of his departure," but added that "our respect and gratitude for everything Greg has given to KNBR, its listeners and its team runs deep." The company also indicated it is "exploring ways we can bring his voice back to the station."
Papa, 63, was fired Wednesday along with his midday co-host Greg Silver, ending their talk show "Papa & Silver." He had been the longtime radio voice of the San Francisco 49ers and co-hosted the weekday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. program on KNBR since 2019. He recently returned home in July after a 78-day hospital stay for a life-saving bone marrow transplant and treatment for lung failure at UCSF Medical Center following a leukemia diagnosis last year.
Cumulus Media acknowledged Papa as "one of the defining voices of Bay Area sports radio," praising his knowledge, passion, and connection with listeners. "His contributions to the station will not be forgotten," the company said.
Papa had previously expressed optimism about returning to his radio show, suggesting he could work from a home studio as he had during chemotherapy. However, he noted that returning to calling 49ers games would present a different challenge.
The "Papa & Silver" show will be replaced by John Lund, who is returning to KNBR after his own departure from the station in November 2024. The decision to fire Papa has drawn criticism from some fans who voiced their dissatisfaction on social media platforms.