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Greg Papa to join NBC Sports Bay Area gameday 49ers coverage after KNBR layoff

East Bay Times · Michael Nowels · 2026-08-25T19:10:51+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Greg Papa isn’t back calling 49ers games just yet, but he will be working on game days this season. The longtime Bay Area radio and TV broadcaster will be back on NBC Sports Bay Area’s 49ers pregame and postgame shows, the station announced Tuesday. Papa, whose health took him away from the KNBR radio booth for games last year, has maintained his desire to return to that play-by-play role when his health allows. Papa, 63, missed almost all of the 49ers’ games last season after being diagnosed with leukemia, calling only the regular-season finale. He returned to his talk show amid treatment last fall but stepped away to receive a bone marrow transplant from his sister. In his recovery, he was hospitalized for more than two months and suffered significant lung issues. Earlier this month, KNBR canceled Papa’s midday talk show with cohost Greg Silver, placing Papa’s former partner John Lund into that spot. Papa’s deal to call 49ers games is separate from KNBR hosting work like that show. Papa appeared with reporters Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan on NBC Sports Bay Area to share the news Tuesday. “I’m going back to my roots a little bit,” Papa said, noting that he has been involved in Giants and Warriors pregame and postgame coverage for the station in the past. He’ll be a contributor rather than a host in 2026, though. Papa has had a presence on the “49ers Talk” podcast with Maiocco and Chan, which he’ll maintain in addition to the coverage on gamedays. The four-decade broadcast man performed some breathing exercises during the announcement video, adding that he’s eyeing a possible return to the radio booth for the 49ers’ home opener Sept. 20 against the Miami Dolphins.