Courtesy San Diego Union Tribune

(June 19, 2009) The Chargers announced a two-year contract extension with Clear Channel Communications to broadcast all the team's games. Combined with the last year of the current deal, the Chargers will be heard on KIOZ-FM (Rock 105.3) and XTRA Sports 1360 through the 2011 season.

The difference between this deal and the one the parties signed in 2005, according to several sources, is that the team will receive a much smaller rights fee in return for more commercial time to sell.

It's believed the Chargers have been receiving an annual rights fee of more than $1 million but less than $3 million. Under the terms of the extension, that amount is expected to be reduced to the low six figures, with the Chargers hoping to make up the difference by controlling more of the commercials.

“We're not talking about what it is but we are taking on more of the inventory,” said Jim Steeg, Chargers chief operating officer. “What we looked at is it's an opportunity for us to do some things, to work more with the sponsors we've got ... They wanted more branding across everything that we do.”

Rock 105.3 FM will continue as the flagship station and produce extended pregame and postgame shows. XTRA Sports 1360 will carry the games and postgame shows.

Announcers Josh Lewin and Hank Bauer have contracts through this season. According to Steeg there have been no talks regarding extensions, but Lewin said he's “anticipating smooth waters.”