Overview
- NBC Sports Bay Area announced Tuesday that Papa will make regular appearances on its 49ers pregame and postgame shows and continue contributions to the network’s 49ers podcast and streaming shows.
- Papa confirmed he plans to return to the 49ers radio booth early in the season but said he is still assessing what he can safely handle during full game broadcasts.
- He was diagnosed with leukemia last July, had a successful bone marrow transplant months ago and spent 78 days hospitalized after complications that left him discharged needing supplemental oxygen and rehab.
- Cumulus/KNBR laid Papa off earlier this month, and the new NBC role gives him on-air work while he manages health limits and uncertain travel capacity for road games such as the Australia opener.
- Guy Haberman, who filled in for Papa last season, is expected to remain the primary contingency for radio play-by-play as NBC Sports Bay Area retooled its pre/postgame lineup with new hosts Kylen Mills and Bonta Hill.