KNBR afternoon drive host Adam Copeland has been away from the station for the last several weeks, during which he stepped down from his position as program director of KNBR, KGO and KTCT in San Francisco. Copeland’s abrupt exit from the position came just five months after he began the role and came four days after a column from Barrett Media President Jason Barrett discussed his questionable behavior on social media. Barrett Sports Media was the first to report of Copeland’s exit and obtained an internal memo containing a message from Cumulus San Francisco regional vice president and market manager Larry Blumhagen revealing that Copeland will continue to host his afternoon drive program, Tolbert and Copes, alongside Tom Tolbert.
Copeland returned to the air on Thursday in studio with Tolbert where they reacclimatized and hosted their four-hour program. Tolbert started the show by exclaiming that Copeland was back and asking what had been going on with him. In response, Copeland stated that there was not much and laughed shortly thereafter, ostensibly delivering such a message in a flippant manner. Tolbert added some light humor about being out of breath from getting off to a late start because of a cooking endeavor before Copeland addressed the events that had recently ensued.
“I was out for the last couple of weeks obviously,” Copeland said. “In that time, I’ve stepped down as the program director of KNBR and KNBR 1050 and KGO 810 The Spread. There’s been a lot written about me, a lot said about me and painted me a certain way. If you haven’t read it, check it out. Any press is good press, I’ll take it.”
Copeland then promoted his social media handle as he implored listeners to check out the articles and other press materials that had been written about him. From there, he mentioned a point that he felt needed to be said about himself.
“This job, this show, this station – it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” Copeland explained. “It was my childhood dream to work here, it’s my childhood dream to have a show on KNBR and in this timeslot, [and it’s] even better to work with guys that are genuinely some of my best friends, and to work with people like Tom and Murph and get a chance to work with Gary and Paulie Mac and Rod Brooks and so many guys who were here that I looked up to and inspired me – all I’ve ever wanted to do is just do the show, and get back to doing the show.”
As he continued offering his perspective, he addressed the posts on social media that were the subject of criticism. Copeland initially questioned Barrett Sports Media about writing a story if KNBR defeated 95.7 The Game in the ratings. Barrett responded by stating that Barrett Sports Media had published stories about the ratings when KNBR won in the past, along with stories about talent at the station. While some of his social media posts and interactions have been in question, Copeland averred that they were executed while thinking about the station and listeners.
“As much as I care about this place and every decision I made about myself and my career and things that I put out there were all with the station in mind and support for the station and love for you guys in mind. I understand that some of that was perceived and painted and read differently,” Copeland said, “and my reactions and my responses to some of that were at times taken out of context but at times fair in the way that they were received.”
Before returning to KNBR on Thursday, Copeland attended the San Francisco Giants game on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies and had the chance to speak with listeners and discuss baseball. While Copeland looked forward to talking about the Giants on the air, he concluded his message by thanking the listeners and demonstrating a sense of relatability.
“Always love the listeners,” Copeland said. “I am and was a listener, and I just want this place to still be a place after I’m here so I can continue to be a listener, so that’s what it’s all about is just getting back to doing the show.”
