Greg Papa discusses KNBR layoff during leukemia battle

Broadcaster Greg Papa, the longtime voice of the San Francisco 49ers, has spoken publicly about being laid off by KNBR while undergoing treatment for leukemia. The 63-year-old radio personality revealed in a television interview that he was blindsided by the decision, noting that he had been cleared by his hematologist to return to his radio duties from home.

Papa’s health battle began in July 2025 following a diagnosis in France. His recovery included a bone marrow transplant and a 78-day stay in the ICU, during which he was intubated and placed in an induced coma due to complications such as pneumonia and collapsed lungs.

The termination of his midday show, ‘Papa & Silver,’ was part of a broader round of layoffs by parent company Cumulus Media as the organization undergoes restructuring. While Papa remains under contract as the 49ers' play-by-play announcer, his ability to return to the booth for the 2026 NFL season remains uncertain.