Local event programming — including Abilene High School and McMurry University sports, among others — will continue to be carried by the station, KZQQ, said Parker Cannan, president of Radio Abilene. The company owns two other stations, KWKC 1340 AM and Star 106, an FM station.

ESPN Radio sports talk began airing July 10, 2006, on 1560 AM, according to a press release announcing the change would take effect at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Business-wise, it wasn’t possible for us,” Cannan told his radio audience when asked by a caller about financial negotiations between Radio Abilene and ESPN Radio. Cannan made his remarks while appearing on a call-in sports show hosted by Al Pickett, which will now be broadcast on KWKC 1340 AM.

Cannan also said he was told that “they’re doing this to about 50 or 60 of the smaller markets.”

In an interview with the Reporter-News, Cannan said negotiations began about three months ago with ESPN Radio, as the station’s contract was set to expire.

“They gave ultimatums and I couldn’t live with them. I didn’t think it was good for the company. I didn’t think it was good for Abilene,” Cannan said.

Cannan declined to give details of the negotiations, except to say there were “multiple” issues involved beyond financial considerations.

ESPN Radio lists affiliates in Midland and San Angelo on the company’s Web site. Radio Abilene made the announcement late Thursday afternoon, and no one from ESPN Radio or other local ESPN affiliates was available for comment.

Cannan said he was “stunned” at ESPN’s “heavy hand” in the negotiations, but is now looking forward to the classic rock format, which will feature two locally-hosted “drive-time” shows.