Courtesy San Diego Union Tribune

(September 4, 2008) Lee Hamilton, for better or worse a sports radio legend in San Diego for more than 20 years, announced at the end of his talk show Wednesday that he was leaving XTRA Sports 1360, effective immediately.

Hamilton called the decision a^?oemutuala^?? but his contract recently expired and a station source said he was not offered a new deal. Asked if he was presented an offer, Hamilton answered only, a^?oeWe talked about a lot of different approaches ... At the end of the day I said I want to be a free agent and they said OK. No bitterness. No angst.a^??

Speaking by phone less than an hour after making the announcement, Hamilton said, a^?oeThere's nothing negative to this. It should not be construed as being negative by any stretch of the imagination. It's just I want to be a free agent and they want to try something and that's OK. ... We'll see where the road takes us.a^??
Bob Bolinger, Clear Channel San Diego vice president and general manager, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Chris Ello is expected to take over Hamilton's 3-6 p.m. weekday show. Ello's noon-3 p.m. slot will likely be filled by a combination of Josh Rosenberg and Craig Elsten, at least in the short term.