Thirty-six days after KNBR pushed Greg Papa out, the Bay Area radio station is bringing its voice back.
Cumulus Media announced Thursday that Papa will return in a part-time role after his Aug. 5 layoff drew criticism from listeners and KNBR employees.
The return is not a restoration of “Papa & Silver,” his midday show with Greg Silver. Papa, 63, will instead reunite with John Lund for “Lunch With Papa,” airing weekdays noon to 1 p.m. later this month.
He will also provide twice-weekly 49ers updates during KNBR’s drive shows.
“I’m thrilled to be back on The Sports Leader and even more thrilled to be working with my good friend John Lund again,” Papa said in the station’s announcement. “Let’s do this!”
The comeback carries more weight because of the health crisis Papa endured before KNBR let him go.
The 49ers radio play-by-play voice was diagnosed with leukemia in 2025 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in March. He then spent 78 days at UCSF Health after both lungs collapsed, requiring a week on a ventilator.
Papa was still recovering when KNBR eliminated his position. He later said he expected a call about returning to work, only to learn his contract was being terminated.
“I went from terminal to terminated, in a short period of time,” Papa said in August. “But I’m also indestructible.”
Amid the backlash, KNBR publicly said it was exploring ways to bring Papa back. That possibility became reality one month later.
Papa also returned to NBC Sports Bay Area as a studio analyst surrounding the 49ers’ season opener against the Rams in Australia and received clearance from his oncologist to resume 49ers play-by-play duties.
Because travel is discouraged during his first year after the transplant, Papa could call home games and work from NBC’s studio during road weeks. His booth return could come against the Dolphins on Sept. 20.
For a broadcaster who wondered whether his damaged lungs would allow him to call another game, the announcement carries special force: Papa’s back.
