Earlier today CBS announced it has signed a five year extension to keep University of Michigan sports in its Detroit cluster. As part of the deal Wolverines football and men’s basketball will shift from Classic Hits 104.3 WOMC to News 950 WWJ.

With less than four weeks to go before the start of the college football season, Michigan took its time to get the best deal. CBS may have had extra incentive to make sure they kept the rights to UM’s sports. Both Greater Media and Clear Channel may have used the Wolverines to launch a direct FM competitor to CBS’ 97.1 The Ticket.

Greater Media AC “Magic 105.1” WMGC PD Brian Figula registered Sports1051.com this past Saturday. Clear Channel registered 1067TheBrew.com for a possible shift to Rock in early July, while rumors of a move of 1130 WDFN to FM have perked up from time to time.

With the Wolverines and the rights of all four professional sports teams locked up by CBS, it will be harder for a competitor to make inroads in the Motor City, but not impossible. Detroit is also the largest market without an ESPN Radio affiliate.