SAN FRANCISCO -- Veteran sports announcer Lon Simmons will not handle the play-by-play radio broadcasts of the San Francisco 49ers this season.
KGO Radio announced Friday that Simmons, 64, had 'asked to be released' from his job.
His three-year contract was to expire after this season.
No replacement has yet been named.
Wayne Walker, color commentator on KGO's 49er broadcasters, attributed Simmons' departure to 'a personality conflict' with KGO General Manager Mick Luckoff.
Walker said Luckoff was angered when he, Simmons and sideline reporter Joe Starkey complained about the recent overtime game against the Rams in Tokyo. The trio asserted that pre-season games should not go into overtime.
'I'm sick about (Simmons' departure),' said Walker. 'We had a great team going. I am devastated because I enjoy working with him so much.'
Simmons, who also broadcasts Oakland Athletics baseball games on KSFO, was the 49ers voice from 1957-80 and returned to the club's broadcast booth in 1987 when KGO acquired the radio rights.
