The Padres deal is up this year. John Lynch had to show what a big swingin' Congressman Weiner he had so he paid the team ridiculous, stupid money to make sure 1090 got them. It was a disasterous deal that helped prop up Lynch's macho self image but it made 1090 swim in red ink even though the station is doing pretty darn well. I am hearby predicting (and I want some sports newspaper reporter to tell us about this soon) that there are NO local local radio groups that will pay stupid guarantee money to carry the Padres next season. The Padres will have to accept a fair market plan where they share the money that comes in. I would guess they would get a lion's share of that income, but the days of the ridiculous guarantee for the Padres are over!!! Clear Channel already passed on the Padres and Lynch is no longer in the picture. CBS and Lincoln Financial both made bad money moves (with J&J and Mikey, respectively) and I doubt either group is going to throw out good money after bad any more. Baseball and radio is not the treasure chest it was for decades.