Broadcaster Greg Papa Details Firing by Cumulus Media Amid Cancer Recovery

Longtime San Francisco 49ers play-by-play announcer Greg Papa has revealed new details regarding his departure from KNBR, a move that occurred while he was recovering from a severe cancer battle. In an interview with NBC Bay Area, Papa described the timeline of his health crisis and his subsequent termination by the station’s owner, Comcast Corporation subsidiary Cumulus Media.

Papa’s health challenges began last summer with a leukemia diagnosis. His condition deteriorated significantly in March when complications from a bone marrow transplant resulted in pneumonia and collapsed lungs. He spent 78 days in the intensive care unit, including a period in an induced coma while on a ventilator.

Despite the severity of the illness, Papa stated that he had been medically cleared to return to his hosting duties on the midday program. He noted that his hematologist had approved his return to the radio show, and he was preparing to resume work before receiving a phone call ending his tenure.

“So, I went from terminal to terminated,” Papa told NBC Bay Area, expressing that the decision remains difficult to comprehend on a human level. He emphasized that while he had anticipated a return-to-work plan, the company instead chose to terminate his contract.

While Papa signed a multi-year contract extension in April to continue calling 49ers games, his ability to return to the booth for the 2026 NFL season remains uncertain due to the physical demands of the role. In contrast, he believed the radio show was a viable path back into broadcasting.

The shakeup at KNBR also resulted in the departure of co-host Greg Silver. Cumulus Media previously released a statement regarding the staffing changes, a move that drew public criticism given Papa’s medical situation.

Market context: Comcast Corporation trades under the ticker CMCSA. As of the latest market snapshot, the company has a market capitalization of approximately $89.4 billion and operates within the Communication Services sector. Shares were trading flat at $26.18.

What to watch

• Future guidance or scheduling updates from KNBR regarding replacement hosts.
• Any official statements from Cumulus Media regarding programming strategy changes.
• Papa’s medical updates regarding his potential return to broadcasting.

Source: original release