Note 9 - Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation cost was $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2011, we issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering 181,000 shares of our Class A common stock to certain employees. The RSUs are not participating securities and fully vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. We estimated compensation expense, based on a fair value methodology, of $2.0 million related to the RSUs, which will be recognized over the vesting period. Of this amount, approximately $0.4 million will be recognized in 2011.

In the second quarter of 2011, we issued RSUs covering 10,325 shares of our Class A common stock to members of our Board of Directors.  All of these awards vest in approximately one year, on the date of the next annual shareholders’ meeting. We estimated compensation expense, based on a fair value methodology, of $170,000, which will be recognized over the vesting period. Of this amount, approximately $115,000 will be recognized in 2011.