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The Chicago Bears had the 24th best pass rushing unit last season according to Pro Football Focus.

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n the San Francisco Bay Area, the sports culture runs deep. From the decorated era of San Francisco Giants baseball in the 2010s to pair with the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Bay Area sports fans had a lot to cheer about. Combine that with the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers, and you have a region that is used to success in sports. But for the fans, supporting their teams runs in their veins, and a big reason why Bay Area sports fans are able to stay informed is because of their local radio station, KNBR– a Cumulus Media station. Home of the Giants since 1979 and the 49ers since 2005, fans have grown accustomed to hearing their favorite teams on the radio waves. And on Wednesday, April 15, the 49ers and KNBR agreed to a contract extension to keep 49ers’ coverage on KNBR for the foreseeable future.

First reported by KNBR’s Jack Loder, the network and the 49ers extended their partnership through the 2030 season, allowing fans to continue hearing all things 49ers on KNBR. Broadcasted on KNBR 680/104.5, 49ers games and shows centered around the team will continue in the new agreement, with Greg Papa and Tim Ryan remaining as the official voices for games.

KNBR, 49ers Reach Agreement on a New Deal

On Wednesday morning on April 15, 49ers Director of Broadcast Partnerships Bob Sargent joined the Murph & Markus Show, KNBR’s morning show, to formally announce the news. The 49ers, the Bay Area’s most successful franchise, provide a valuable partnership for KNBR and for it to continue is good both for the Bay Area and the franchise.

“We at KNBR are tremendously excited to continue this valued partnership with the Niners,” Cumulus Media San Francisco market manager, Larry Blumhagen, said. “We have a wonderful relationship with the organization and its people, and they are truly a partner to us in connecting their fans with all the gameday action they love and demand. We look forward to continuing to provide 49ers fans with outstanding gameday coverage on all KNBR platforms from AM/FM to streaming.”

Sargent then spoke on the history of the partnership and explained how the negotiation took many heads to finalize. One of the most iconic and biggest local broadcasts in the NFL, keeping it intact was essential for the Bay Area.

The Crucial Part of the Deal

Papa and Ryan have been synonymous with 49ers’ broadcasts since joining the crew and with the new deal being formally announced on April 15, Sargent explained that a big part of it was making sure that Ryan and Papa stayed in their roles. And as Papa continues to battle leukemia, and work his way back to the broadcast booth, Sargent made sure to shout him out when announcing the deal and acknowledge everything he has brought to the network.

“The NFL needs him, and the 49ers need him,” Sargent said. “There’s no doubt in our minds that Greg is gonna be back in the saddle doing his thing. I can’t wait for the first broadcast when we can get back in the saddle and pick up where we left off.”