In Toronto, Steve Buffery writes UFC's decision last week to move UFC 178 on Sept. 27 from Toronto to Las Vegas "smacks of disloyalty." UFC President Dana White insisted that the card was "never written in stone for Toronto and switching the card was strictly a business decision." However, while White has been "lauded for his business model in developing the UFC," Buffery asks, "What kind of business model is it to turn your back on some of your most loyal fans?" (TORONTO SUN, 7/10).
BUSINESS AS USUAL? In Dallas, Gerry Fraley notes Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage expects TMS to host the seventh race of the NASCAR season in April and the eighth race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup in November when next year's schedule is "finalized in September." Gossage also has a "handshake agreement" with Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles for IndyCar to "return on June, 6, 2015, for a night race." Gossage said that he expects to "soon complete work on the details and sign the sanction agreement that will bring back IndyCar for another year." The switch in leadership to Miles has "triggered an era of good feelings between IndyCar and TMS" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/10).
AGENDA DRIVEN: In Charlotte, Jim Utter writes the question of whether the formation of the Race Team Alliance "produces vast changes in NASCAR depends entirely on how far the collective group is willing to push its agenda." There is a "reasonable argument to be made that it’s in the sport’s best interest that everyone involved not allow any disagreements to get to that breaking point." There also is "plenty of precedent indicating someone will be forced to show their hand before it’s all over" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/10).
