Sources: 49ers wanted Singletary interview down; KPIX cowered

After a series of phone calls, e-mail, inquiries and two good independent sources, I have the low-down on the mysterious removal of the Singletary/O'Donnell interview from KPIX/CBS5's website, (although the embeddable version is still available. For now)

As I pointed out and long noted, both the 49ers and KPIX have a business deal where Singletary gets paid to do a weekly show (or at least the 49ers get some consideration) and the 49er brass have been complaining for the last year that O'Donnell asks too many pointed (i.e., good)) questions instead of being a more friendly "business partner."  

According to a knowledgeable broadcast source close to the situation, (who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter) there had been some discussion about this and someone at KPIX (not O'Donnell) had assured the 49ers that the segment would be more congenial (i.e., soft).  So when O'Donnell started hitting the line of questioning that he did last week, Singletary was extra frustrated and responded the way he did. (You'll recall that "Sing" repeatedly extolled O'Donnell to "ask about the next game"!)

Repeated requests for comment by KPIX were ignored. Attempts to reach the 49ers were unsuccessful, (I think that has to do with a certain football game tonight)

Either way, the mere tacit news that both orgs. seemed to work hand-in-hand to put the kibosh on the interview is slightly disturbing and worse yet, a huge contingent of the 49ers media corner, and KPIX's too for that matter, seem to have no problem with this matter.

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