The San Francisco 49ers announced they’ve reached a multiyear agreement with lead radio analyst Tim Ryan through the 2025 season.
Ryan has been part of the 49ers Radio Network on their flagship station KNBR since 2014, and will continue working with play-by-play voice Greg Papa who joined the broadcast in 2019.
“Having heard and seen the tremendous chemistry between Tim and Greg through two very different seasons, we are thrilled to keep the partnership together for the benefit of The Faithful,” 49ers President Al Guido said in the press release. “In just a short time together, they have already teamed up for a plethora of memorable calls as the team marched to a Super Bowl appearance in year one. This past season, their professionalism and passion for 49ers football shined through as the team navigated a most trying season. Despite having to broadcast every road game of 2020 from the Levi’s Stadium broadcast booth, the quality of their work never wavered. We are privileged to have one of the strongest team broadcasts in all of sports and made it a priority to keep Greg and Tim together for a very long time.”
In addition to serving as the radio broadcast’s color commentator, Ryan contributes to 49ers digital and TV content, as well as weekly segments on NBC Sports Bay Area and KNBR’s schedule of talk shows.
During the 2019 NFL season, the 49ers suspended Ryan for their Week 14 game following comments the analyst made during an interview with KNBR’s Murph and Mac. Ryan highlighted how great Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is at running fakes but credited his “dark skin color” for hiding the football.
Ryan quickly expressed remorse, apologizing to Jackson, and missed the next broadcast. Many 49ers players also came to Ryan’s defense after the comments were made. But the incident didn’t appear to have any long-term effect on his job status as he will remain with the 49ers for at least five more years.
Ryan is a former defensive lineman, playing four seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1990-93. The longtime analyst worked for FOX NFL TV for 12 seasons before joining the 49ers radio booth in 2014.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
