The San Francisco 49ers announced that Greg Papa will take over as the play-by-play announcer for the team's radio broadcasts, replacing Ted Robinson, who held the role for 10 seasons.
Robinson announced shortly before the 49ers' press release that he will be representing the team in other capacities.
Papa, a 32-year broadcast veteran, has previously served as the voice of the Golden State Warriors (TV & radio, 1986-97), San Francisco Giants (TV & radio, 2004-08), Oakland Athletics (TV, 1990-2003), and Oakland Raiders (radio, 1997-2017).
The Raiders fired Papa in July after 21 years as the team's radio voice and replaced him with broadcaster Brent Musburger.
Papa has said his firing was a result of a 2015 radio segment where he criticized the Raiders and owner Mark Davis for interviewing Mike Shanahan for their head-coaching vacancy. Shanahan, who coached the Raiders from 1988 to 1989, had a falling out with Al Davis and Papa's criticism stemmed from his loyalty to the former team owner.
Mike Shanahan is the father of current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
"I threatened to quit the team and that I would have no association with [Shanahan if he was hired] because of my love and respect for Al Davis," Papa said via NBC Sports Bay Area.
Papa currently hosts The Greg Papa Show with Bonta Hill on 95.7 The Game.
Robinson has previously served as an announcer for the Giants (TV & radio, 1993-2001), Athletics (TV, 1985-87), Warriors (TV & radio, 1983-85), Stanford Cardinal football (radio, 13 seasons), the PAC-12 Network (TV, seven seasons), New York Mets (TV & radio, four seasons), and the Minnesota Twins (TV, seven seasons).
Robinson is also in his 20th year with NBC Sports and will call his 12th Olympics in 2020. He has also handled tennis broadcast duties for multiple networks and the NCAA basketball championship for five years on CBS.
Thank you Ted for the passion, professionalism and excitement for the Niners that you have demonstrated in the booth. Thank you for your friendship as well. Glad you're still part of the family. Go Niners. https://t.co/o7KPhq5sTe
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) January 2, 2019
Statement from 49ers President Al Guido:
"For the last 10 years, the 49ers Faithful have listened to one of the most accomplished and respected professionals in the broadcasting community deliver the game day action of their favorite team. Ted has always been much more to our team than just a play-by-play voice, he's a member of our family and a valuable ambassador for our organization. That is why we are thrilled he will continue on with the team and help us to continue to deliver the 49ers to our fans in a number of ways.
"The addition of Greg Papa to our broadcast team as the Voice of the 49ers adds to the great legacy of 49ers broadcasters who have previously held that moniker - Bob Fouts, Lon Simmons, Joe Starkey, Don Klein and Ted. Bay Area sports fans have been treated to his legendary calls of their teams for more than three decades. We are elated to welcome Greg to the 49ers family and have him deliver the action in his own unique style directly to The Faithful for the very first time. With Papa partnering with Tim Ryan in the broadcast booth on game days, and Robinson active in the community and at 49ers events, we believe our fans have the best in the business bringing them their favorite team every day of the year."
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