Greg Papa and Greg Silver are no longer at KNBR in San Francisco following a station announcement earlier today. KNBR hosts Derek Papa and Adam Copeland addressed both departures Wednesday on Dirty Work hours after the news broke.
What We Know: Cumulus Media and KNBR laid off Greg Papa and Greg Silver from the station earlier today. Papa had been managing a cancer diagnosis and hadn’t returned to a full schedule in months. Silver had been co-hosting middays while also producing the show. Derek Papa, Greg’s son, and Adam Copeland broke down the moves live on the air just hours after the news broke.
What They Said: (All quotes via KNBR Dirty Work with Copes & D-Pop)
Derek Papa says there was no way to prepare for the news his father, Greg Papa, lost his job while battling cancer: “Nothing prepares you for talking about your father having cancer on the radio. Nothing prepares you for talking about him being let go. I owe a lot to my father. The reason I’m in this business is because of him. This past off season was hell. It’s been well documented. I didn’t know when he was coming back on the mic, and I wanted him to dictate that himself.”
Derek Papa doesn’t agree with the move to lay off his father from KNBR: “Today’s a day I can’t escape from it because it’s the biggest thing probably in the Bay Area. The Giants game is irrelevant. This is the biggest topic, honestly. I know we’re work for Cumulus. I do not support these moves whatsoever, but it is what it is. I’ll let the company decide how they want to handle this thing with my father going forward.”
Derek Papa on Greg Silver being laid off: “He never complained. Obviously dealing with my dad’s situation, not knowing who your co-host is going to be. Also having to produce and host at the same time. It’s a bitch. Greg Silver handled it perfectly, so I’m sick for him. But I know that he’s going to land on his feet. He’s going to do a great job. So I’m thinking about him today.”
Adam Copeland on the layoffs of Greg Papa and Greg Silver at KNBR: “This is something that affects us personally. I’ve been not told anything about this by management other than what’s been reported. Except for who no longer is employed here. I don’t really know how to approach this. This isn’t the type of show any of us want to have to do or to talk about. But there is no dirtier work than having to do a show like this. I think you and I are equipped to handle it.”
Adam Copeland on the difficulties he’s having working for a station that consistently cutting talent: “I pour my heart into this thing. I love doing this job and love this show. I love creating content, being goofy, cracking jokes and seeing what works and what doesn’t… It’s really hard every day emotionally to put life aside and pour your heart, your mind, and your energy into one place unilaterally. Then to have days where you genuinely have to question whether or not your morals and your values align with the place that you’re pouring that energy into. Today’s one of those days for me, man. It makes it tough. I gotta tell you how it is. I don’t want to do shows like this, and it’s hard to keep coming in and having this happen. It just it sucks, man. It sucks for everybody.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether Papa returns to broadcasting once healthy is still unknown. Silver’s next move also remains unclear. John Lund will be replacing both Silver and Papa beginning on Monday.
What It Means: For both Derek Papa and Adam Copeland, this hits personally, not just professionally. For Copeland, his comments raise harder questions about working somewhere that keeps continuing to cut talent. Both hosts pushed back publicly, an unusual move for employees of the company involved. However, the authentic approach to a story that transcends sports talk is one that listeners appreciate. The hope remains the Papa will find an avenue back to KNBR as he continues to navigate his health battle. Silver will surely land on his feet with his previous work providing a great skill set to provide for any network/brand.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.