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| Mark Davis |
As I reported here, Papa was beloved by the late Al Davis; Mark's father had a quasi "Raider lifer" arrangement with Papa that was essentially broken by the petulant younger son.
Papa was so close to Al that at one point senior Davis had considered giving him a non-broadcast, football-oriented job to Papa because he thought highly of Pop's football intellect. It never materialized because Papa was clearly not qualified.
The broadcast booth was another story. Papa thought all along that once the team was headed to Vegas he would have the green light to join them even though he'd been battling several personal issues of late including a divorce, a case of severe vertigo and his ongoing argument with Mark Davis. Papa didn't really want Vegas; sure, like Bill King, the late, great Eastbay broadcaster, took the LA gig because, like Vegas, it's only an hour plane ride from the Bay Area, and he could still handle his A's duties and be near the Raiders. Of course Al Davis was alive back then and like Papa, loved Bill King and wanted him to remain with the organization.
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| Greg Papa |
And now with the hiring of Musburger Davis has effectively won the power play over Papa. And now Papa is out; how big a gig? Papa was paid nearly $500,000 a year to broadcast Raiders' games. For a guy like Papa with a lot of overhead that's a lot of money to suddenly kiss goodbye.
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| Brent Musburger |
I really had my heart set on Curt Gowdy or that Howard Cosell to do the Raiders PBP.
ReplyDeleteSome guy on the internet told me Curt Gowdy has a son in the Senate or something important like that.
We get it Rich, you hate Mark because he is leaving Oakland. His dad did the same, remember that.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate MD, I hate the family chasing the money. I was born and raised in Oakland, went to school with Mark, Was a Raider fan all my... Until Al took them to LA. Then I left them for good. The return with all the stupid black hole thugs trying to emulate the old... Not for me.
DeleteSooo Brent and Coach?? Talk about geriatric...
ReplyDeletePapa and Linc was damned good
Age discrimination prick.
DeletePapa was an Al guy simple as that, Papa was also great at his job. Now Brent Musburger? If you make a change isn't it supposed to be for the Better? I guess that's the Raider Way, I thought Amy Trask was no longer in charge.
ReplyDeleteSince we only watch the Raiders on TV this makes no difference. And once they move to Vegas I assume we're not going to get all their games as a "home" team anyway. The Niners are laughing all the way to the bank as the only team in town.
ReplyDeleteBye, Mark ... Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out !!!
Surprised brown nose fitz didn't worm his way into the Raider job.
ReplyDeleteYou can be sure that Rudy Poohay tried to snake his "magical" powers towards getting that opportunity. It's a good thing for Bay Area sports fans that he didn't. As it is, we still have to put up with his sanctimonious behavior on Warriors telecasts and the 49ers on occasion.
DeleteThis is the best reply of the day!! Fitz is such a weasel and he already stole one job from Papa. Having
Deletesaid that, Papa is a total jerk. When he lost his Warrior gig, there was very little uproar. Bill King was revered. Papa isn't even likable.
If the Raiders don't win early and win convincingly this season, the coliseum sure might be a lonely place for Mark Davis.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd love to see Papa takeover 49ers duties. Since Feldman moved to the Giants pre- and post-game NBC cable coverage, it's turned into a farce -- lousy jokes, dippy bits and fan contests with less analysis and in-depth baseball talk.
I hold no brief for Mark Davis. Al was no prize either and the genes didn't get better with age.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to anyone lose work, but Papa who according to the blog entry still has work that pays him more than $600K. He'll still be able to pay the light bill and his alimony but the ex will have a small lifestyle decline.
Furthermore, more people watch football games on TV, local radio is an afterthought and a Sunday afternoon time filler.
Papa will survive and so will we all.
I wouldn't touch Mark Davis' briefs!
DeleteThe Chargers biggest mistake was not moving to Oakland. It would have been weird, them having been a long time rival, but Al Davis has a history with that organization and they're still a California team. They should have moved to the Bay Area where there is currently NO TEAM. Call it what you want to but the Niners do not play in the Bay Area. Mark Davis is a moron.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point!
DeleteChargers should have stayed in Sandy Eggo.
DeleteLast I checked Silicon Valley, Santa Clara IS in the Bay Area. Go buy a map Einstein.
DeleteYour geographic handicap is surpassed by your lack of historic perspective.
DeleteThe Niners are the FIRST Bay Area pro team still in existence. Santa Clara was a prominent fixture when Oakland was THE destination...if you were looking for a place to picnic. Tony Morabito got the Niners colors and a lot of the coaches and players from Santa Clara University.
I thought Brent Muskburger was dead!
ReplyDeleteMark Davis, Gruden and Musburger - we're gonna party like it's 1999!
ReplyDelete1999. Another year, in the last 34, that the Raiders didn't win a Super Bowl.
DeleteAnyone but me notice the striking resemblance between mark Davis and trump? You got the tiny hands, obesity, and wacky hair, as well as facial resemblance.
ReplyDelete.... I'm gonna miss Papa and Coach Flores, a lot.
ReplyDeleteShit.... all The Rayduhs need now is 2 octogenarians in the PBP Booth... oh - what, wait?
ReplyDeleteThat was very surprising regarding Greg Papa. When you think of the Raiders, one of the first people you think of is Greg Papa. Ice Cube even mentioned Greg Papa in one of his Raiders rap songs. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, it sounded like he didn't want to go with the Raiders to Vegas as Rich pointed out, especially when you look at all his other duties (his radio show, his TV duties on NBC Sports Bay Area).... We'll see what he says regarding this come Monday on his radio show.
Regarding Brent Musberger, yeah, he lives in Vegas, but not to be an ageist, but you would think the Raiders would've gotten a younger guy that might be more Vegas based, to replace Greg Papa for their radio broadcasts.
I wonder if Brent Musburger will make note of the fact that the last time he was part of a Raider broadcast was for CBS at Super Bowl XVIII thirty-five years ago. Just announce, baby.
ReplyDelete