Despite switching its telecasts from ESPN to Versus next year, Indy Racing League officials remain confident they will sign
an eight-figure, multi-year title sponsorship deal by year’s end.
League officials denied rumors that some of the companies on the short list to become the series title sponsor had backed out. Subway restaurants, Kodak, William Rast clothier and two technology companies comprise the short list, said sources close to the negotiations.
“When some people heard the news without hearing the details, they went “Whew, why are you going with Versus over ESPN?” said Zak Brown, president of locally based Just Marketing International, which was hired by the league to help land a title sponsor. “But when they peal back the layers of the deal, they see we’re going to get a custom studio, a Saturday pre-race show and three hours instead of two hours of race coverage. Not one of the companies we’ve been talking to said, “No thanks, we’re out of here.”
The new TV deal has lengthened negotiations, Brown said. “Since the TV buy figures into the deal and we’re not dealing with what we were dealing with six months ago, it’s required us to step back and do a re-presentation.”
Brown has little doubt the deal will get done before Jan. 1.
“We’re on the doorstep with a couple of these companies,” he said.
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Ya'll need to step back and get to the root of the problem: The Visions that Lord Sagamore has brought us all. The IRL, short tracker Americans on all ovals with no engine leases, no foreigners and the top of the USAC ladder! Amwerican made chassis, no street courses, no races in canadaor Australia or Mexico....
Or, something like that. :)
Whatever works for you Tony, we are just fans, don't mind us.
Signed,
Former Fan who didn't come along kicking and screaming.
What a bigoted, closed minded piece of work you are. If you're not a fan, then just shut up. Yes, it's not everything it used to be, or even close. Nor is it where it should be, but it's the best we have for now. Seems like a lot of good people, drivers and owners included, are still participating.
Some of those foreigners that you seem to disdain so much were, and in some cases, still are fan favorites, including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nigel Mansell, Arie Lyendyke, Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon.. I'm sure they don't miss your sorry attitude lingering around.
Perhaps we could all take a look at what it may become in a few years and not focus so much on what it is right now. After all, there is always hope in life, and this is just one example.
Sarcasm. Look it up. :) I detest the IRL past and present.
Silly fans, Tony has promised you one thing, then delivered another. Super Defender likes to use the term evolution, and I prefer to use the terms whatever fits Tony's agenda of gaining control. You been used up like a Spring Break rental car my friend.
You see, I am a CART guy, one who never believed Tony for a minute. I saw right through his Vi$ion and I think most smart, experienced race fans did. Those who actually bought into The Vision were sold a phony bill of goods and eventually were just discarded if they didn't come along kicking and screaming (A direct Tony quote). Sure CART screwed up, and CCWS obviously did not survive, but one thing is a constant: Anything Tony touches turns to crap. Ratings are at an all time low, interest has hit the skids, and a Vs. deal sends the series closer to capitulation than ever before. And check the Demographics the IRL offers potential sponsors. Maybe Depends could be interested?
Signed:
A foreign born, ex CART team employee who got revisioned out of a career because he refused to drink the IRL koolaid.
Well, this really says it all, doesn't it......
Enlighten me.
The whole operation is nothing but a PT Barnum sideshow.
I find it rather amusing... no, sad... that you miss the whole point of what Mr DaHooey is saying. But then you do seem to be rather bricktard-ish.
You're saying: Perhaps we could all take a look at what it MAY become in a FEW YEARS. Now it seems to me that if this was 1996 (and you believed in Anton's pie in the sky), it would be fair to give the Wabash Wimp a chance - that is we could wait to see what it MIGHT become by, say, 1999. Not only didn't it happen by '99, it didn't happen by 2002 or 2005, and it still ain't happening in 2008 - in fact, it seems to be goin' the other way - and you're still willing to wait a few MORE years!
Wait for what? We had it all in 1995. Your Indiana Idiot said he would make it better - and instead wrecked it, then wound up making it exactly what it was but on a much, much smaller scale, with ugly, useless racecars.
The fact of the matter is that one man chose to be in control, whether or not he honestly believed he was going to make it better (more American, no engine leases, etc, etc) or not. He got his way - but busted it doing so. Too bad he didn't believe in if it ain't broke, don't fix it. He done fixed it good, he did. Real good. And just in the last few weeks he done fixed it even better. But oh no, us naysayers got it all wrong... just give our boy Tony a little more time and it'll come good. I'm training my pig to fly - let's see which happens first - my money's on the pig.
You continue: ...and not focus so much on what it is right now. Why not? I want to watch races RIGHT now - and there's nothing worth watching. The sad part is that you agree - or you wouldn't be saying 'give it time'!!!
Yet you answer your thoughts with: After all, there is always hope in life, and this is just one example. No, this is not an example of hope. This is an example of desparation; clinging to the faint notion that Lord Sagamoron did the right thing, or is doing the right thing... after he has proved over and over again for more than 13 years that he has done it all wrong and continues to do it all wrong. Versus, my ass!!
Crikey - did you not see where just about the last true IRL team is trying to add a 2nd car with either an F1 reject (Davidson) or some no-one's-ever-heard-of GP2 driver!! Where's the freakin' all-'murrican short tracker there?
If all you Tony apologists just stayed home and didn't tune in next year - Anton's hand would be forced - he would have to make immediate changes - and then you wouldn't have to wait a few more years. But oh, no, you and Bricky and Lugs and a handful of others will keep propping this turd up -and keep saying give it time...
My money is still on the pig!
Embarrassment? Funny you bring that up. Is that TG's middle name?
Have check, will fail. :)
Even retired they are faster than the Dallara, G-Force and even the Falcon, LOL. How embarrasing is it for the ALMS cars to be faster on the same tracks than the Crapwagons?