FAYETTEVILLE — An agreement has been reached in principle by the University of Arkansas and KATV, Channel 7, to name Chuck Barrett play-by-play announcer for Razorbacks football radio broadcasts.

Sources confirmed Thursday that Barrett, the veteran Arkansas baseball announcer, could be announced as early as Tuesday. Barrett’s selection would end weeks of contentious discussion between the station and university, both of which argued the right of final say in selecting a broadcaster.

Athletic Director Frank Broyles acknowledged Thursday evening an announcement is imminent, but he would neither confirm nor deny that Barrett had been chosen in favor of KATV news anchor Scott Inman. Broyles said he and KATV General Manager Dale Nicholson planned to meet in person next week to finalize details, but said no contract has been signed.

“We could have an announcement next week, but we’re still working” Broyles said. “There is nothing to announce right now. Dale and I need to sit down together.”

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Both sides have been in contact this week by phone, but no face-to-face meetings have occurred. Additional talks have taken place over the past seven weeks by phone and through written correspondence.

Messages left Thursday at KATV seeking comment were not returned. Inman, the weeknight news anchor, is on vacation and was not expected back at the station until next week.

Barrett declined comment.

Barrett will replace interim announcer Mike Nail on the broadcasts. Nail, Arkansas’ basketball announcer for 26 years, handled football duties last fall after the death of Paul Eells, a KATV sportscaster who spent 28 years calling Razorbacks games for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network, a KATV subsidiary.

ARSN is the exclusive provider of all Razorbacks football and basketball programming. It produces and distributes all football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts and televises six basketball games statewide.

Nicholson and KATV supported Inman because of his employment at KATV and his eight years hosting ARSN’s scoreboard show. Inman filled in for Nail on six basketball broadcasts.

Broyles and the university endorsed Barrett, a Clarksville native, because of his experience broadcasting Razorbacks sports. Barrett’s familiarity with the athletic program and the fact he lives and works in Northwest Arkansas also were seen as an advantage over Inman, who lives in Little Rock and would be available primarily only on game days.

Barrett has 16 years experience as a baseball play-by-play announcer and spent the past 12 years as producer and host for a pregame football broadcast. He’s also made on-air contributions the past two football seasons.

In addition to his ARSN duties, Barrett hosts a sports callin show. Sources confirmed he will cease hosting soon after being formally announced as the “Voice of the Razorbacks.”