KGO ends radio deal with 49ers

By Cecil Conley, STAFF WRITER

KGO 810 has ended its 18-year relationship with the San Francisco 49ers by opting out of its contract with the team, KGO president/general manager Mickey Luckoff told this paper Friday. The news talk station had two years remaining on its five-year contract with the 49ers, whose 2-14 finish this season undoubtedly had an effect on KGO's ratings for game broadcasts and the station's ability to generate revenue by selling commercial spots. "We exercised an option in the contract with two years remaining at the rates we were paying," Luckoff said. "It was a money-losing proposition."   KGO attempted to renegotiate its contract with the 49ers, Luckoff said, but the team "wasn't willing to do that." KNBR 680 previously has had interest in the 49ers, but program director Bob Agnew would not say Friday if the station planned to pursue the team. KNBR 1050, the Oakland Raiders' flagship station until this season, also is a possibility. Joe Starkey, KGO's sports director, has been the play-by-play man for 49ers broadcasts since 1989. He was joined in the booth by former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer, and ex-49ers wide receiver Mike Shuman was the sideline reporter.   Starkey also calls Cal football games on KGO. KGO's decision to opt out of its deal with the 49ers leaves the Bay Area's two NFL teams without radio contracts. KSFO 560 carried the Raiders this season under a one-year contact, and the sides currently are negotiating   a new deal.

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