Papa (r) will become the first broadcaster to have a role with five of the Bay Area's major pro teamsGETTY IMAGES
49ers radio play-by-play broadcaster Ted Robinson "will be replaced" for the '19 season by longtime Raiders radio voice Greg Papa in a "major shakeup" to the 49ers' booth, according to Eric Branch of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The 49ers in a statement said that Robinson will have a "new role with the team that will include speaking at events." Papa, who "surprisingly was let go" by the Raiders in '18 after serving as their play-by-play man for 21 seasons, will be "paired with Tim Ryan, the team's color analyst." Papa after he was replaced by Brent Musburger "began hosting 49ers' pregame and postgame shows as part of his work with NBC Sports Bay Area." He also "co-hosts a weekday afternoon show" on KGMZ-FM. Papa will "become the first broadcaster to have a role with five of the Bay Area's major professional teams," as he has also "called games for the Warriors, Giants and A's" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/3). Papa said the chance to work with Ryan is a "big reason why the job is so attractive." In San Jose, Cam Inman notes Papa "watched 49ers home games this season from the press box and he did so listening with an ear on the Robinson-Ryan broadcast." Robinson had served as the 49ers' radio voice since '09, when he "succeeded Joe Starkey's 20-year run." Robinson also has "contributed to the 49ers Website and television productions, and he will continue to work in other capacities for the 49ers, including community-related events" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/3).
INTERESTING DILEMMA: THE ATHLETIC's Steve Berman noted Cumulus Media-owned KNBR-AM has been the "flagship station of the 49ers" since '05. The 49ers "certainly won't mind" KGMZ's "most popular host calling games for Cumulus next season and in years to come, since it means they'd pretty much own the NFL conversation across each major sports talk station." However, it will be "interesting to see how Cumulus reacts to this news, since it will mean Papa is essentially a 49ers insider with a popular show on a competing station." But could this actually be "part of a greater, long-term 49ers scheme" to jump to KGMZ, "much like the Warriors did a few years ago?" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/2).
