The Verizon IndyCar Series' marketing deal with USA Today "could compromise USA Today’s news integrity and hamper other media outlets that aren’t afforded the same access," according to critics cited by Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. IndyCar and USA Today Sports Media Group "agreed to merge marketing, advertising and news coverage in a deal observers alternately describe as groundbreaking or ethically worrisome." The deal "is being lauded by IndyCar and USA Today officials as a way to get the open-wheel series more coverage and provide the newspaper’s journalists with enhanced access." USA Today "has agreed to write pre- and post-race stories for every IndyCar race and produce special sections around the sport and its drivers." The news organization "also agreed to expand its coverage of IndyCar on USAToday.com." In return, IndyCar "promised to give USA Today reporters preferred access to series officials, team owners and drivers, and track owners." The Poynter Institute's Bob Steele "questions how USA Today and its associated publications could give the IndyCar Series unbiased coverage under such an agreement." USA Today Sports Media Group VP/Sports Marketing Jason Ford said that there has "been no backlash about the deal from USA Today reporters or editors" regarding concerns over compromising integrity (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/16 issue).
