Nate Rau

nrau@tennessean.com

Sports radio personality Clay Travis is out as co-host of the popular “3HL” radio show on 104.5 The Zone.

Travis and his co-hosts for the sports program had been in contract negotiations for the past several months, and the contract was set to expire at the end of August.

On his Outkick the Coverage blog, Travis said the station extended a offer this week that was too low, given his perceived market value.

“I expected that they would make a competitive offer and I’d continue to work at 3HL. ... For six months, (104.5 The Zone owner) Cumulus did nothing after I made my overtures, this morning they finally made their offer — a $5,000 raise,” Travis wrote. “I thank Cumulus for one thing, they made my decision to leave incredibly easy. If the company had been remotely competitive with its offer, I was inclined to stay.”

Originally, Travis said his last day would be Thursday, but he later announced on social media that he will not be allowed to appear on the air this week.

Travis said he plans to stay in radio. He has a non-compete clause in his contract that prevents him from broadcasting in Nashville for 90 days. Travis told The Tennessean he would target 2015 for a new opportunity.

“I live in Nashville, and I plan on doing radio in Nashville and other cities probably beyond Nashville again,” he said.

Hosted by Brent Dougherty, former Tennessee Titan Blaine Bishop and multimedia sports personality Travis, “3HL” has helped propel 104.5 The Zone to become one of the most successful sports talk stations in the country. The Tennessean reported last month that 104.5 The Zone, owned by Cumulus, has the largest market share for any sports talk show in the country.

The show, which made its debut in 2010 in the noon to 3 p.m. time slot, earned strong ratings before being bumped up to its current afternoon rush hour spot.

In addition to his role on “3HL,” the sometimes-controversial Travis owns the sports and pop culture website Outkick the Coverage and works as a television analyst for Fox Sports and Fox Sports 1.

The fate of Dougherty and Bishop, who were on the air Tuesday, is unclear at this point. Brad Willis, program director for 104.5 The Zone, said the company doesn’t comment on personnel issues.

“Loved working (with Travis),” Dougherty tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “He’s exceptionally smart, talented & creative. He’s also a good friend. I wish him the best.”

The closest competition for The Zone is 102.5 The Game, which is the local home for ESPN radio and “Sports Night,” hosted by longtime local broadcasters George Plaster, Willy Daunic and Darren McFarland.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and on Twitter @tnnaterau.