The exclusive negotiating window that IndyCar’s media rights partners had has passed, series CEO Mark Miles said. That means the series is now free to talk to all parties both in the traditional and digital media world. IndyCar’s media rights deals with ABC/ESPN and NBC Sports expire after ’18, and the series had been engaged in recent months in exclusive talks with those parties. The exclusive window passed within the past few weeks, Miles said, and he added that such a scenario was expected from the get-go. Miles said IndyCar has made clear that it wants to explore the option of having one TV partner air the entire schedule.
There has been speculation that NBC appears to be more of a favorite to land the rights given that it has been increasingly touting itself as the home of motorsports, but execs note ABC/ESPN has broadcast the Indianapolis 500 for decades, which it may not be keen on giving up, and that ESPN’s new OTT package revealed this week could also give ESPN added incentive to land some or all of IndyCar’s rights. IndyCar is consulting with Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures over the media rights talks.
