NASCAR is "expected to acquire Street & Smith's
Productions within several weeks and launch an in-house film
production company next year modeled after NFL Films,"
according to sources of Erik Spanberg of the SPORTSBUSINESS
JOURNAL. Street & Smith's Productions is one of a half
dozen Street & Smith's divisions owned and operated by
Charlotte-based American City Business Journals (ACBJ).
ACBJ publishes THE DAILY and the SportsBusiness Journal,
neither of which will be affected by the sale. Street &
Smith's Productions has motorsports ties via its work with
Speedvision, ESPN and Fox Sports Net. Spanberg writes that
the "source of this information came from neither ACBJ nor
Street & Smith's Sports Group." ACBJ Chair Ray Shaw would
only confirm that "discussions have taken place" and
declined further comment. NASCAR VP/Broadcasting &
Technology Bray Cary declined comment. Sources told
Spanberg that Cary would run the project. The planned film
division will produce and package biographies, highlight
shows and other offerings (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/20).