S-F Radio: Morning Host Brian Murphy Gets KNBR Extension

Brian Murphy, a veteran sports radio personality and co-host of the morning show on KNBR in San Francisco, has secured a four-year contract extension with the station, ensuring his presence on the airwaves through spring 2029.

This announcement was made Wednesday by KNBR program director Mike Hohler during the "Murph and Markus" broadcast, marks a significant moment for both Murphy and the station, particularly amidst a backdrop of recent challenges in the sports radio industry and at KNBR itself.

Murphy, a Bay Area native from Mill Valley, has been a fixture at KNBR since joining the station in 2004. Initially paired with Tim Liotta, he later co-hosted the highly popular "Murph and Mac" show with Paul "Paulie Mac" McCaffrey from 2005 until November 2023, forming an 18-year partnership that became a cornerstone of Bay Area sports talk radio. Following McCaffrey’s abrupt layoff in late 2023—a move attributed to budget cuts by KNBR’s parent company, Cumulus Media—Murphy transitioned to co-hosting with Markus Boucher, a former producer who had been part of the morning show team for nearly four years. 

This new pairing, now known as "Murph and Markus," airs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on KNBR 680 AM and 104.5 FM, continuing to deliver sports commentary, humor, and local flavor to listeners.

The contract extension is a notable development for KNBR, which has faced significant upheaval in recent years. The station, long a flagship for San Francisco sports teams like the Giants and 49ers, has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs, including the departures of prominent hosts like McCaffrey, Tom Tolbert (after 28 years), John Lund, and F.P. Santangelo, as well as behind-the-scenes staff. These cuts, driven by financial pressures at Cumulus Media, have led to a leaner operation, with the station even relocating its main studios from San Francisco to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in 2024 to align more closely with the 49ers. 

Before his radio tenure, he built a robust reputation as a sportswriter, covering Bay Area sports for outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle, where he served as the primary golf beat writer during the Tiger Woods era, as well as the Los Angeles Times, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, ESPN.com, and Yahoo! Sports.

The extension will see Murphy reach a milestone of 25 years with KNBR by the time his new deal concludes, a rarity in an industry marked by volatility.