BALTIMORE >> The Baltimore Ravens have traded veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation.

Boldin, 32, was involved in a contract dispute with the Ravens, who asked him to lower his $6 million base salary by $2 million.

However, Boldin declined to do so and attempts to resolve the impasse were unsuccessful.

The Ravens were on the verge of releasing Boldin on Friday afternoon and he even prepared a statement thanking the fans for their support.

After the two sides were unable to work out a compromise, the Ravens opted to trade Boldin to the 49ers. Boldin played a large role in helping the Ravens defeat San Francisco in the Super Bowl.

Now Boldin, who carried a $7.531 million salary-cap figure and is now off the books other than $1.5 million in dead money, heads to the 49ers.

The 49ers are coached by Jim Harbaugh, the brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh.