The new $2.4B NASCAR TV deal with Fox and NBC/Turner is "expected to be less sponsor-friendly," as announcers "may not be permitted to" identify car sponsor names, according to Larry Woody of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Woody: "Is the end in store for NASCAR's traditional brand-name broadcasting?" Fox VP/Media Relations Lou D'Ermilio: "There has been no policy set yet. It's still being evaluated." But D'Ermilio added that "even if on-air brand-name references are reduced or eliminated, there will be a tradeoff through wider visual exposure." D'Ermilio: "We expect a wider audience ... cars will be seen by more viewers" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 12/29).
INDY BACK ON TOP: In Charlotte, David Poole cited the Joyce Julius & Associates Sponsor Report as stating that the Indy 500 was the "most valuable race for sponsors" during the '00 season. Sponsors received $102.4M in TV exposure during ABC's telecast of the event, "moving that race to the top spot in the survey for the first time in three years." NASCAR's Daytona 500, which was first in '99, was second in '00 at $92.7M. Seven of the other eight top ten events were also Winston Cup telecasts (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/30).
