The potential impact of federal regulations banning tobacco
sponsorship in sports on NASCAR is examined by George Dohrmann in
this morning's L.A. TIMES. The Winston Cup at Watkins Glen
began with a tribute to financial contributions from companies RJ
Reynolds, Philip Morris and U.S. Tobacco. Dohrmann: "It was like
a giant hug among brothers -- a way to say 'thanks' but also,
maybe, 'good-bye.'" T. Wayne Robertson, President of Sports
Marketing Enterprises, sports arm of RJR, says the restrictions,
which include bannning product names on "popular" hats, shirts
and other items, are too tough: "While they say you can still
sponsor, the restrictions make it financially impossible to do
so." RJR estimates that tickets to NASCAR events would increase
from the current average of $51 to $91 if the proposals are
implemented, and the tobacco industry is "groaning" over the
thought of losing its "most valuable source of advertising."
Motorsports have been the tobacco industry's "only link" to TV
since the '71 federal ban on tobacco ads on TV and radio, with
the FDA estimating that the tobacco industry received $68M worth
of exposure for the 354 motor sports broadcasts in '92 (L.A.
TIMES, 8/24).