415 Media Extra: While 49ers Nation/KNBR Exults, Giants and Larry Baer Fuming Over Lack of Air Time; Meeting of the Minds; Egos Bruised; Talk of Inner Turmoil; 415 Media Exclusive

GIANTS BROADCAST BRASS FUMES OVER LACK OF KNBR BUZZ 

Historically, the Giants, most notably, Larry Baer, still its front man (although quietly) rely on their broadcast (radio) partner, KNBR to be a part of their PR blitz during the hot stove league, you know when it's winter time and baseball news is in the backdrop of football season.

No more.

In fact, KNBR has been all-out 49ers and that makes sense, right? After all, the SF 49ers are two wins away from the Super Bowl and the Niners are the talk of the local sports scene --national too. That may sit well with the 415, 510, 408 and 925 but it has the Giants' hierarchy FUMING! Like really and royally TICKED OFF!

I've learned the Giants' brass--again, namely Larry Baer, is quietly telling KNBR and Cumulus market honchos here their utter displeasure over their flagship station barely sniffing out the name, "G-i-a-n-t-s," let alone even benign mentions. This is not the booster club, mind you, but the team's front office and its main money men including its main front men and investors. And while it's been relatively contained, at least internally, the effect of KNBR cutting off the PR machine of its chief sports partner, has resulted in turmoil and friction over air time and PR nirvana drying up. The Giants really could care less about the 49ers' fortunes --in Larry Baer world, they never heard of the SF 49ers--it's 24/7 Giants and even a blip of anything else is off the radar.

The 49ers success wasn't considered in the 2019 blueprint by KNBR brass. The idea that the football team would hog the airwaves wasn't even a figure point in the sales office. In fact, just now the marketing people are scurrying to sell advertising should the Niners make it to Miami and Super Bowl Sunday. It's a financial goldmine if it occurs but that doesn't move the needle for the bosses at Willie Mays plaza. In the meantime, several egos have to be massaged. 

The Giants still have their annual "Fan Fest " scheduled for the Saturday after the Super Bowl and KNBR will still probably go all out to place its various talk hosts en mass at the ballpark for whatever that's worth--mind you it hasn't been a very popular off-season for the baseball team and not just on the field, but off too. 

Baer might be in a position of no-leverage, because, frankly, the Giants haven't competed in recent years  and the 49ers are looking to take over the Bay Area in a region that is a BIG NFL market anyway. 

That said, KNBR is in a pickle not of its own making nevertheless responsible for appeasing the ego of its historical cash cow, the SF Giants. As usual, meetings of utmost importance will commence at Knibber's will and ultimately, both sides will kiss and play nice. They have to. They both sort of need each other and have to get along. That's the rational thinking, right? Wrong.

The Giants big suits will remind the KNBR/Cumulus gang it is they that have the control and pay the bills and even a George Kittle TD run will never change that --unless there's a victory parade down Market Street and Kyle Shanahan and Jed York are kissing babies in the crowd come early February. Then what happens?

Oh, Nellie.

#415 Media Exclusive

#415 Media Extra

Super Duper

TALK OF THE TOWN

*49ers-Saints thriller rocks local newsrooms and taverns

*"Why wasn't game on Sunday night? NBC Sports execs at 30 Rock fuming (NFL rule on SNF availables)

*Where was Aikman and Buck? (on assignment)

*One of highest-rated games (other than Super Bowl) in local/KTVU history

*Rematch in NFC Championship?

*But first, figure out the Seahawks

*National buzz begins in earnest

*Will 'Santa Clara locale' still piss off longtime "SF" -Candlestick fans?

*Takes "brown-skin" comments by Tim Ryan off the domain

The Latest on KGO Morning Diva Natasha Zouves; Recovering from Hair Mousse Fall and Contemplating Legal Action Against KGO/Disney; Castro MIA Probably $-Related; Deanno Talks at KPIX Still On-Going; He Wants More Dough; Darya Folsom Still Embarrassing KRON; Papa Will Make Adjustment to New Niners Gig; Rothmann/Owens Spiral Down at KGO Radio; Hot Rumor: 'Toonces, The Driving Cat' New PD? Friday Feast

Natasha Zouves

I WAS THE FIRST to tell you what went down with Natasha Zouves at KGO-TV. She's been home recovering from her hair goo slippage and planning a return to her Southern California roots. She's still on the mend and playing footsy about her status.

I e-mailed her and asked what was happening (giving her a chance to formally respond) and she said virtually nothing. I expected that. Remember, she might not be ready for primetime. Furthermore, she's no favorite in the newsroom either.

Here's another whammy: while she's essentially gone from KGO she has pondered a worker's comp suit against Circle7 and ABC; that would complicate her next gig in LA but don't rule out anything.

CASTRO MIA BUT...

Meanwhile, Jessica Castro, who's been filling in for Zouves has not been on the air since January 10 and no one at KGO seems to know why.

Jessica Castro

I have a source who speculates that Castro is pissed off at her paltry salary compensation (low six figures) and placement in the KGO morning presence. Castro can pout all she wants; she doesn't have any leverage and she knew full well that Disney (which owns ABC) doesn't pay their 4th-tier anchors any decent money. So too Zouves which might explain why she's considering suing the company.

DEANNO TALKS CONTINUE

My report about KPIX wanting to try weather guy, Paul Deanno in a hybrid news/weather gig is still in talks stage but if that venture would to emerge, Deanno wants to be paid more money. It figures that CBS would take care of Deanno if he performed both as a news anchor and weather talent. Especially if that were to include his presence in the evening.

Brian Hackney does the same job but on the weekend and doesn't get any added money. Then again, Hackney is way down the totem pole at PIX working on the cheap and has been downgraded for years. He might be viewed as bright and engaging but he's a virtual retread at 855 Battery.

Paul Deanno

Deanno is seen as an emerging presence on news; if that's the case (and I agree) then why not just 86 him from weather and make him a full-time anchor on news alone. Which seems to be what Deanno might be inferring --here's a rumor: Deanno replaces the forever bitter-beer-face-looking, Alan Martin.

*IT HAS BEEN SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, but bears repeating every so often: Darya Folsom continues to EMBARRASS KRON. Sure, KRON has a lot to be embarrassed about but Folsom's continuing circus show in the morning is a sad ass spectacle; she has no shame; she doesn't give a damn about what almost everyone else thinks and she KILLS whatever credibility KRON has by her BS presence on its morning news.

Darya Folsom performing journalism on KRON morning

If KRON brass thinks she helps the ratings, they're sadly mistaken. She's in actuality a detriment to the operation and nobody looks at her anymore nor takes her seriously. She's a nothing; a nobody and her boobs have been a non-story for years. The only BOOB that thinks she still got it is her boyfriend/slave master/schophant, Aaron Pero, the News Director that keeps  job because he possesses state secrets and has compromising pictures in a local bank safe. I'm joking on the latter but who knows.

THIS AND THAT

*New 49ers PBP broadcaster, Greg Papa, is great on radio and I like his 95.7FM 'The Game' takes, but it's questionable he'll stay on that show once football season starts; I can't imagine The Game allowing a rival (KNBR) talent on their air but it's just a guess.

Greg Papa

An analysis on Papa doing 49ers: the professional and talented Papa will make the adjustment to broadcasting Niners' football and easy one. Over the years, I've been critical of Papa but I've never questioned his broadcast ability and football acumen. He's damn good. His pivot to the 49ers from twenty years with the Raiders will be unusual and jarring at first but eventually people will get used to his play-by-play. Probably more an adjustment for Niners' fans then Raiders' rooters.

*Speaking of the Raiders while the world awaits their home (before Vegas) next year, where will they be on radio? Hardly a word. They will NOT be on KCBS that's for sure.

*Internal issues galore and a plethora of turmoil inside their respective newsrooms: KTVU and KGO-TV.

*If and when KGO Radio has a new/latest 2019 iteration, both John Rothmann and hanger-on, Ronn Owens will not have any role. Owens has been drifting away on the horrifically awful, "Ronn Owens Report" and Rothmann, whose stock has continued a steady spiral downward has been told he'll have no position there, only as a perpetual fill-in, if at all.

Meanwhile, a HOT RUMOR!! New KGO Radio PD? Hard to believe but word on the street is the PD will be Toonces, The Driving Cat! Wow, now that's some extraordinary depth by the fearless kitty!

Toonces the Driving Cat

415 Media Exclusive: How the Papa/49ers Deal Went Down; Inside Story; When Papa Became Available, 49ers' Sargent Began Pursuit; Tells 415 Media 'Historic Move'; Decision Needed York and Guido OK

Ted Robinson (l) and Greg Papa -NBCSBA photo

49ERS MOVED ON 'FREE AGENT PAPA'; NO REPUDIATION OF ROBINSON; ACCELURATED MOVE ON EX-RAIDERS PBP --415 MEDIA EXCLUSIVE INSIDE STORY ON 'SHOCKING MOVE'

*ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO when Raiders veteran PBP broadcaster Greg Papa was summarily dumped by the Silver and Black (namely, Mark Davis) 49ers broadcasting boss, Bob Sargent, who knew Papa well and regarded him as a play-by-play, sporting icon, immediately went into high gear and on a mission: to seize the opportunity to pounce on Papa and bring him into the 49ers' broadcast booth with Tim Ryan.

Mission accomplished.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Papa would replace Robinson and become the new 49ers' radio broadcaster. Or, as one sports radio observer commented to me, "a shocking move, bold and audacious too."

Sargent, in a lengthy phone conversation with me, insisted that the move to replace Robinson was by no means a repudiation of 'Teddy Ballgame' as he is known charmingly around Bay Area broadcast circles.

"When 'Greg {Papa} became available I immediately began discussions with him because I regard him as one of the best {if not thee best] in the business. NFL people place him in the top three category} Nothing against Ted more really I just wanted to bring Greg to the 49ers," said Sargent.

How bold a move? Enough to require a boatload of hurdles to overcome in addition to the move of acquiring Papa to be OKed by not just the Niners' broadcast hierarchy but all the way up the food channel including team president, Al Guido and owner, Jed York, who has always been a loyal Robinson advocate.

Industry people I talked to concurred. They repeatedly told me that it wasn't so much a blow to Ted Robinson (although it probably is) more a determined effort on Sargent's part to get Papa and Ryan together to form one of the best NFL Radio play-by-play tandems in the business.

I'll say this about the move: while I have my issues with Papa on a personal level, I've never doubted his professional credentials as a seasoned pro-football broadcaster. His Raiders' work by and large was as close to the real deal, late Bill King demonstrated in his multi-decade work with the Raiders.

The new questions on the table: Will Papa have to leave his 95.7 FM 'The Game' radio talk show? Probably. I don't envision KNBR (which is the 49ers' flagship station) allowing Papa to stay on its rival Bay Area station, but that's just a guess. Sargent told me he doesn't care one way or the other because as far as he's concerned, he got his prized pupil and long-term broadcast duo for the future.

And that's the genesis of this story laid out to me. Sargent regards Papa as the gold standard. His (Sargent) close relationship with Robinson on both a personal and professional level is a lengthy bond and might be compromised. Sargent told me in spite of that, "I wanted to make this move."

And so he did.

Greg Papa's New 49ers' Gig at NBC Sports Bay Area Spells Probable Doom for Dave Feldman; 'Feels Blindsided' by Pop Power Play

Greg Papa

CALL IT A COLD AND CALCULATED POWER PLAY 

News that Greg Papa will be the pre and post-game host for 49ers broadcasts on NBC Sports Bay Area will have a ripple effect on the sports cable outlet.

It more than likely spells doom for now, ex Niners' host, Dave Feldman, who my spies tell me is fuming over the Papa announcement.

These two big shots have a history and it's not very warm and fuzzy.

In fact, I've learned Feldman feels blindsided by the move and that he was undermined by Papa's behind-the-scenes negotiations to land the 49ers' gig.

Feldman, who is doing some Giants' pre and post game work is more than likely going to pursue other interests, maybe back east where he has worked for several outlets.

Dave Feldman

A couple of things to note: Papa is coming off 20-plus years as Raiders radio play-by-play broadcaster. His new gig as a 49ers cable host should be seamless but how will the Faithfull receive a multi-decade Silver and Black announcer? NBC obviously thinks the transition will be just fine.

Don't forget Papa's daily radio show on 'The Game' (95.7 FM) --which happens to air Raiders' games and is primed for Raiders talk. Again, which potentially creates a most awkward situation given Papa's new Niners' affiliation.

Maybe Feldman might have to call his buddy, Jim Harbaugh, for some guidance.

We'll wait and see.

Yeah, I Agree, The 'Niners Are Fucking Stupid'; Monday First Take

 Every known sports and non-sports pundit/reporter will give their opinion on Monday. The radio talk-show experts will tell you exactly why the 49ers; notably the brain trust; owner/front man, Jed York; GM Trent Baalke, and Team President, Paraag Marathe finally sent superstar coach, Jim Harbaugh, packing.

Poor Harbaugh.

I'm no Insider --I'm just a sad-sack blogger with endless broken hearts and think in terms of basic human mindset; you may be the most talented fucker in the world, but you're no good to your company if you can't get along with the people you work with/for; that's not me ripping into Harbaugh; quite the contrary, I think the 49ers hierarchy is plain nuts for not trying to play nice with their now, ex, superstar coach. As Deadspin points out, and I agree, The Niners are Fucking Stupid. Or, to put it more precisely:

There is no sane football-related reason for the Niners to let Harbaugh leave. Apparently, they're letting Harbaugh go simply because he was so insufferable to deal with, which … fine. I get why you might wear out after having Captain Jawclench as the head man for four years. But this man is a football coach, and football coaches are, by their very nature, insufferable. They work endless hours. They are humorless and often distant and aloof. They are endlessly demanding. Only a batshit crazy person would thrive in that job, and so Jim Harbaugh fits into the mold nicely. I don't know what other temperament you would like out of a head coach. What, you want him to be less intense? Fine; watch him get run over.

{H/t Deadspin}


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Done

 So they say.

Talk of the town.

We'll know soon enough.
UPDATE: The 49ers and Jim Harbaugh have mutually agreed to "part ways."
Shocking.

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Lots of Live Shots in Front of 49ers' Ray McDonald's House

 Sports Talk shows, Live Shots Galore, Bay Area water cooler event--even trumped latest Storm Watch reports.

The 49ers are probably not thrilled with this.

Just a guess ...

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Lowell Cohn: 'Jed York is a Coward'; 49ers Owner Tweet Draws Ire of Press-Democrat Writer

 Lowell Cohn throws a hardball at Jed York. Whether you agree or disagree is besides the point. It's the content, stupid.

I watched the 49ers game last night after the meal and couldn't believe my eyes. Were these really the 49ers; granted, they were playing the World Champions, but the Seahawks made the 49ers look silly.

And then after the game, Jed and his tweet.

I heard a lot and sensed there might be a hardy reaction from the local press. Nothing was quite as extraordinary was Cohn's scathing review of owner York. That's what I like about Lowell, always willing and able to swing for the fences. Lowell is spectacular here, just my opinion.

KTVU Has A New ND; Dean Danos Gets Screwed By KCBS; Colin Kaepernick And Race Mix Into Bay Area Sports Media Hatred Of 49ers QB; Monday Coffee First Take

Monday Coffee

*Dana Hahn is headed to KTVU from Washington DC as the new Channel 2 News Director. She replaces Wonder Boy, Lee Rosenthal, who, as I predicted, is headed to Boston to work at the Fox station where soon-to-be moving, GM, Tom Raponi is taking him. I'm sure the Bostonians just can't wait.


*KCBS made a major mistake by firing overnight anchor, Dee Danos. Danos is at the top of his game. I know he's 82- so the hell what! It was Danos who comforted listeners after the Napa quake. It was Danos, the only one on the air at the time, who provided A-rate coverage and was commended by management soon after, only to be shown the door. KCBS ND, Ed Cavagnaro, contacted for comment, did not respond. CBS-SF radio, your brand has taken a hit and Dean Danos, a class act, was treated like shit. Don't think for a moment other personnel in the building and local industry people have taken notice.


*Let's cut to the chase and speak honest, got it? Colin Kaepernick is being chastised by the Bay Area Sports Media by the fact that he doesn't like the local press; they don't like him; and the 49ers are losing. Combine that with the fact that he's young and black, wears tattoos and sports an urban look that is quite threatening to a mostly White, middle-aged, out-of-touch, uncomfortable press corps. That's a fact. It may not be pleasant but it's the truth. For better or worse.


Kaepernick could do himself a favor by simply 'playing the media game' and conducting post-game interviews, it's not like he's performing surgery --but he has contempt for the writers. Based on some of the questions he gets, maybe he's right to cop a 'tude. In any event, don't think for a moment the underlying issue here isn't racial--it is. Yeah, they won't tell you that--I will.


That doesn't make Kaepernick a bad guy, but it speaks volumes about the real issue here. Like I said, out of touch. Here's a hint guys, why not simply ask Cap himself what's the deal? Maybe he'd open up then. Maybe not. Whatever.


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49ers Rule The Bay Area; Domestic Violence Talk Trumps Sports On KNBR; Ted Robinson and Larry Baer; KRON ND Pero Screaming And Yelling, (Again); Radnich Says Another Stupid Thing; Tolbert Wants 500 Grand; More Haener, Less Gasia; Daffy Duck Gets KCBS Traffic Gig; Friday Notes First Take

FRIDAY NOTES AND THOUGHTS

*All the talk about domestic violence in the NFL trumped the normal sports-talk minutiae --moreover, it virtually wiped the Giants, A's and Warriors off the sports domain --indirectly, KNBR, its second biggest client, the Giants, were virtually ignored on the radio for the entire week.

The conversation centered around Ray Rice, domestic violence, the 49ers and Ray McDonald.

It only reinforces what's been known a long time but rarely discussed: in spite of off-field issues and the Giants winning a couple World Series, the 49ERS are the #-1 team in the Bay Area. It's not even close.

The Giants are a solid second and while they hold all the clout at 55 Hawthorne, it's the 49ers who have virtually all the cachet in town even if the Giants seem to get the bulk of favoritism including priority on 680 AM time slots versus albatross 1050 AM. Enter KGO-AM into the frame.

*Not particularly losing sleep over Ted Robinson's suspension: Giants Prez: Larry Baer. Relationship history: Fire and Ice.

*At KRON: the yelling and screaming news director, Aaron Pero, is doing a lot of yelling and screaming, AGAIN, from one of my KRONvicts who points out this behavior is nothing new coming from Pero who's angry at the world, KRON workers in particular except a certain female buddy in the morning who conveniently has been left alone from the ranting and raving, what a coincidence.

*Raj Mathai and Jessica Aguirre --Dan Ashley and Ama Daeta: a 1 and 1A battle between KGO-TV and KNTV, slight advantage to Ashley and Daetz but Mathai and Aguirre are coming down the stretch fast and furious.

*Hard worker in the morning: Laura Garcia-Cannon at KNTV--get her that contract renewed.

*Julie Haener and Gasia Mikaelian: chick wars at KTVU. Personally, I don't see why Gasia is such a big deal at 2 Jack London Square--what, the blond anchor quotient not operational? Haener can come off as impersonal and robotic but she's a solid co-anchor with Frank Somerville and they both have a bit more chemistry.

*KTVU graphics update: "Wei-Still- Suk."

*KPIX: the geniuses in upper suit department, taking advantage of NFL Thursday Night Football, decided to simulcast the horrid "Night Beat" on both PIX and KBCW. Great. The show still sucks.

"GAME OFFFFFF!"

*Veronica De La Cruz: from the penthouse to the outhouse. And the hair has little to do with it.

*Someone who looks like something but mysteriously isn't: Katie Marzullo.

*Tom Tolbert is quite happy at KNBR where he rules the afternoon in spite of the 467,000 commercials per hour that Knibber runs, just be advised when Tolbert's contract is up, he's apparently looking for a $500Ka-year payday which would make him the highest-paid yapper at the Bleeder. You can buy a lot of pop tarts with that dough.

*Speaking of yelling and screaming: Sarah and Vinnie at CBS' FM outpost. He, (Vinnie), still can't fathom she's the #1 yenta and he might as well be the line cook at the Emeryville Denny's.

*Yeah, I hear: Daffy Duck is doing traffic reports at KCBS. Traffic: KCBS' version of radio porn.

*A KGO Radio 30-something staffer on Kevin Metheney, (Pig Virus)--"He's actually kind of a nice guy." Yeah, until a year down the road when he's gone and screwing up another radio station in another town. Pig Vomit is what's known as a radio retread which is a Cumulus virtue when it comes to the Opps MGR at KGO---WNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNBC or not.

*PIX managers and middle managers alike: you didn't lay any of them off? Editors get no respect.

*Vern Glenn: Enough of the histrionics Vern, just give us the damn sports and cut the little guy doofus shtick, it's unbecoming and quite annoying, please.

*Alan Martin: For god's sake take a deep breath and laugh a little--you're beginning to enter into the Milt Kahn territory.

*Classy Radnich the other day on Knibber: "You know, my first wife--'we were married for 23 years and she never worked." He continued: "And the 23 years since our divorce she's still not working." Proving once again Gary Radnich is pretty much an asshole.

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The Five Highest-Paid Sports Broadcasters In The San Francisco Bay Area; Jon Miller, SFGiants PBP, Numero Uno

 TOP FIVE

1. Jon Miller: SF Giants-- $625,000

2. Mike Krukow/Duane Kuiper: SF Giants: SF Giants--$575,000 a piece.*

3. Greg Papa: Comcast, Entercom, Oakland Raiders: $529, 000

4. Gary Radnich: KNBR/KRON: $500,000

5. Ted Robinson: SF 49ers, assorted clients: $500,000

*Excluding Endorsements

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SF Media Late on Kaepernick Allegations; KNBR 'Gary and Larry' Get Sanctimonius; TMZ Report

 We try to keep it media-related here, for the most part. Occasionally we'll drift to other more mundane matters but we know our place.


We also know the vibe and what's the topic of the day and here in this area, right now it's Colin Kaepernick and allegations about a "suspicious incident" at a Miami hotel.


TMZ reported it first. There's been several amendments and the Sac Bee and Matt Barrows, its 49ers beat writer has a more detailed account.


When the TMZ report first aired, KNBR's morning program, "Gary and Larry" briefly mentioned it and moved on to other topics. Sounded sort of disingenuous when Radnich said it would be a ratings grab to "go non-stop" on the Kaepernick story.


No, Gary, you're wrong. In today's environment you can discuss what is clearly on the Bay Area water-cooler circuit without sounding utterly phony and sanctimonious. Especially when it involves the most popular player of the most popular sports team in the community.


We stress again we're not indicting Kaepernick--we don't know the facts, obviously, and stories like this are almost a daily occurrence so until we get something more concrete, like facts, for instance, everything else is kind of murky.


KNBR wasn't alone in its curious time to acknowledge the report. SFGate finally had it a good hour or so after TMZ. And to their credit, KNBR finally had Barrows on for a phone interview talking about the story.


In a perfect world it would be great to sit back and not elaborate or, in this instance, under-report what is clearly on the minds of people and non-sports-minded people themselves are reading and discussing. So Gary and Larry's "let's be fair" mantra sounds sort of ridiculous. We're not making the inference too because KNBR happens to be the 49ers flagship station--that would be too easy and it's not right anyway.


We are making the accusation that this sort of selective reporting is not only the wrong way but, in Gary's words, not knowing how to read the room. There's ways of handling this and KNBR struck out today early on.


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Lowell Cohn Gets Heat from Pro Football Talk over Colin Kaepernick Posts; KNBR's Bruce Then Unloads on Cohn

Lowell Cohn/Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

 I like Lowell Cohn.


He writes bold, provocative and non, tow-the-line company business which given today's stale and mostly inside press-box scribbler silliness, is both compelling and refreshing, such as his controversial recent pieces on 49ers QB, Colin Kaepernick.


In Thursday's Pro Football Talk, they took Cohn to task for his takes on Kap; pieces that were equally loathed by his mom. (Duh!).


Naturally, one other Cohn critic got into the PFT argument, KNBR 1050 tonsil, Damon Bruce.


Perhaps this is the reason Bruce pounced on Lowell.


By the way, Damon, your Brooklyn accent is not very good but entertaining nonetheless. Remember this edict: brevity is the soul of wit too.


Ladies and gentlemen: I do believe these two men don't like each other.


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*Lowell Cohn
*Damon Bruce
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Once again CSNBA and all the other Bay Area Sports "Insiders" Get Scooped by ESPN; Bristol Brats First on 49ers' Boldin Re-Up

 Another AWOL moment for the "Insiders" and local sporting press and further proof that they continue to be asleep at the wheel.


Well, perhaps KNBR was preoccupied.


The 49ers star wide receiver, Anquan Boldin has re-signed.


ESPN had it first, courtesy Schefter.


The  local reaction guys will tell you that "we're all over it."


Sure they are, just like I'm all over her.


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Once Again, CSNBA "Insiders", Chronicle, KNBR, Late to Harbaugh-to-Browns Reports

 So, where were the Insiders? Missed, again!

We will never know for sure if Jim Harbaugh was actually headed to the NFL's version of hell, the Cleveland Browns, but when multiple respected sites like this one, for example, posted it first, you have to read and take notice.

And yes, these guys too. OK, some people thought the report was ludicrous. They were in the minority.

Where was Comcast? Matt Maiocco, their 49ers "Insider" was no where to be seen. I like Matt but like his Giants counterpart, Andy Baggarly, they do a lot of waving but rarely break any stories like the Browns doozy. And yes, all the parties involved are in full denial but like Lowell Cohn, I think there's ample meat there to be chewed.

More to the point, Comcast wants us to believe they're all over the local teams with mucho exclusives and news only their guys have and presumably, we all get to munch on. Nope. Not even a whiff. Worse yet, and again, I'm going with the notion that the story has legs, Dave Feldman, one of Comcast' chief anchor is a good buddy of Harbaugh. You'd figure Feldman would have known about this one way or another, hello?


Oh, KNBR, what were they doing? How about talking about the weather. I swear to God. You'd think the bleeder would be all over this, but noooooo.

Nada.


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Colin Kaepernick Doesn't Hate The Media, Just The SF Media; Fox Makes Hard Pitch For Bay Area Station; KGO Radio; KCBS Re-Run Orgy Has Become Major Irritant; Tuesday Rundown

 Colin Kaepernick doesn't dislike media people, just most of the sports media here in the Bay Area. He's done numerous interviews and several out-of-SF-market radio and TV shows.

I'm not defending the 49ers prickly QB image as a prima donna --he very well could be but watching and listening to him he seems like a natural guy with a tremendous story to tell, most notably, his upbringing as an adopted child.

He doesn't like the media culture here and who can blame him. Outside of a few writers like a Lowell Cohn, (who is one of his biggest critics), or Scott Ostler, (one writes and blogs for the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat and the other, the same, for the SF Chronicle), our sports medium here is largely a bunch of rank amateurs and softies from Pluto with not an ounce of conviction nor a residue of knowledge befitting a #4-market.

Said one of my insiders who has a firm grasp of what comes in and out of the 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara:

Colin thinks the local media types are petty and immature. He's not averse to answering good, solid questions but have you heard what they ask him? It's like, hey, get me something to talk about; be coherent, don't pander to me, just ask the damn question.

The fact of the matter is Kaepernick is right. Moreover, Kap's terse, one-sentence answers speaks volumes about his feelings toward the Bay Area media. He doesn't owe them anything. And truth be told, the fans don't really give a damn about the media anyway, never have--never will. His obligation is to his team and the organization. If he wins the Super Bowl, that's all they care about and that makes perfect sense.

*Fox desperately wants to buy a SF station --we've talked about this here many times, so their continued, hardy pursuit of, potentially, KRON, or KTVU continues to make the rounds. Why so desperate? Because as you just saw that 111 million people watched the Super Bowl and how the NFL is king, that's why. Beyond that, Fox isn't thrilled with its KTVU affiliation because of how KTVU has been performing of late.  An irony: Cox Media, which owns KTVU is also less than pleased either, but KTVU is Cox' cash cow. Before any real deal were to transpire there exists a multitude of issues, money is not one of them. Stay tuned.

*Schmucks who insist KGO Radio will be all-news are in for a big surprise but I'm not going into the specifics yet because there's too much to go over...for now. If the news/company shill weasel  that everybody hates in the building has thoughts of writing one of his brown-nose ditties to me, he can cease and desist. He has no cred and when you suck a lot of Cumulus hot air, you're not one of my sergeants. Take a hike, copy boy.

*I'm beginning to think I'm not alone with my disgust with KCBS' ridiculous replay-after-replay of story--it has simply reached a point where 10 repeats of one story on one day insults its listeners. Don't give me the TSL excuse or some phony policy--KCBS is great for breaking news and traffic but its rerun deal is one helluva pain in the ass and has me listening more to outside sources or going to the Internet.

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49ers PBP Broadcaster Ted Robinson Goes off on Candlestick Crowd For Doing Wave While Injured Zona Player Lay Motionless on Field

  In Sunday's 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game, the Cards' Calais Campbell was injured in the fourth quarter and a stretcher was on the field. After experiencing "extreme numbness", according to some of his fellow players, Campbell was able to move all of his lower extremities. He was taken to a local hospital. (He's OK).

As Campbell lay on the field motionless several in the crowd began doing the wave.

On KNBR radio, 49ers play-by-play broadcaster, Ted Robinson, was outraged. Robinson emotionally called out the SF fans and was adamant, "Hey, people STOP IT--stop doing the wave!"

It was honest and forthright. It was also something extraordinarily appropriate in a day when this type of behavior might have been ignored by the local radio crew.

Robinson did the right thing calling out thousands of oblivious numbskulls who appeared to be brain-dead at the moment. He wasn't alone. Several 49ers players motioned for the crowd to stop the wave shenanigans.

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