49ers voice Greg Papa faces heart transplant decision amid remarkable health fight

Longtime Bay Area broadcaster Greg Papa, the radio play-by-play voice of the San Francisco 49ers, says his case will be presented to the UCSF Health Heart Transplant Board for consideration of an immediate heart transplant, according to comments he made to the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday.

The 63-year-old broadcaster’s latest medical setback comes after a punishing 14-month stretch. Cancer cells were discovered in his brain and spinal column more than a year ago, and he underwent a bone-marrow transplant on March 4. He later required chest tubes to support lungs heavily scarred by his treatment and illness.

The timing was particularly cruel. On Sept. 7 — just three days after his hematologist cleared him to return to the booth for the 49ers’ home opener against the Dolphins, and three days before he was set to resume pregame television duties — Papa was readmitted to UCSF with his heart failing. He described his heart racing at 130 beats per minute overnight and coughing up blood-filled mucus.

According to the Chronicle, Papa’s ejection fraction — the share of blood his heart pumps out with each beat — had fallen below 20%, well under the normal range of 50-70%. His bone-marrow transplant had previously been delayed when the figure stood at 35%. Papa was diagnosed in 2023 with cardiomyopathy, a hereditary condition managed with Entresto, but was taken off the medication so doctors could prioritize his cancer treatment and lung recovery.

Papa, a 42-year broadcasting veteran, had also been re-hired by KNBR, announced the same day he was set to return to television duties. His television work had been affiliated with Comcast‘s NBC Sports Bay Area, the regional network carrying 49ers pregame programming. In trading Monday, Comcast (CMCSA) shares closed at $22.93, up 0.61% from the prior close of $22.79, valuing the telecom and media company at roughly $92.5 billion.

“I’ve already had a lot of miracles,” Papa told the Chronicle, comparing his recoveries to last-second touchdowns that force overtime. “But when does the game end? I don’t know.”

A GoFundMe campaign organized through the David Benzer Strike Out Fear Foundation, a registered nonprofit, has been set up to help cover living expenses and out-of-pocket medical costs during his recovery.

What to watch

• The UCSF Health Heart Transplant Board’s determination following Tuesday’s 3 p.m. review of Papa’s case.
• Whether Papa is able to return to 49ers radio or television broadcasts during the 2026 season.
• Updates from the 49ers, KNBR, and NBC Sports Bay Area regarding broadcast assignments.

Source: original release