The sports world was hit with tough news on Wednesday as longtime NFL announcer Greg Papa was let go from his daily radio show at KNBR, just weeks before the 2026 season kicks off. Papa, who has been the radio voice of the San Francisco 49ers since 2019, was one of two midday hosts dismissed in a programming shakeup at the Cumulus Media-owned station.
Papa and his co-host Greg Silver had helmed the popular "Papa & Silver" show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The slot will now be filled by "Fair and Biased with John Lund," a familiar name to Bay Area sports fans who previously worked at KNBR before being let go in 2024.
The timing is especially poignant given Papa's recent health battle. The 42-year broadcasting veteran was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in March. He's now cancer-free, but his recovery has been arduous—including a 78-day hospital stay earlier this year. Just this week, Papa told the San Francisco Chronicle that returning to the radio booth was a more realistic goal than calling games from the press box.
"The radio show would be something that's obviously much easier to return to," Papa said. "I could do it from my house. Doing a football game is a different challenge."
While Papa's radio role was with KNBR, his play-by-play duties for the 49ers fall under a separate contract with the team. That means he could still be behind the mic for San Francisco's games this fall—if his health allows. But the radio layoff adds another layer of uncertainty to his professional future.
KNBR officials have not publicly commented on the layoffs, and Papa declined to elaborate when reached by The Desk. The station's decision to bring back John Lund—who had been hosting a late-night sports show on Westwood One after his previous KNBR exit—signals a clear shift in direction.
Papa's departure is part of a broader trend of veteran voices being pushed out across the sports media landscape. Just recently, Pam Shriver criticized ESPN for skewing Wimbledon coverage toward male announcers, and Fox announcers faced backlash for talking over the Buffer Brothers in the World Cup final. The business is clearly shifting, and even established names aren't immune.
For Papa, the road ahead is about more than just football. His health remains the top priority, and the sports community is rallying behind him. As he continues to recover, fans and colleagues alike are hoping to hear his familiar voice again soon—whether on the radio or from the 49ers' broadcast booth.
Our thoughts are with Papa and his family during this challenging time. Here's hoping for a full recovery and a return to the booth he's called home for so many seasons.
