Nitromater

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No sponsor for the 'Nationals?

I personally think it's great. The original "majors" and the "seasonal" events should have NO title sponsor. The names are (in our world) historical, and should be left as they originally looked.
 
I can remember (we're talking back NHRA Today times) when the "naming" of races was more of a novelty than an income stream-NHRA said even if other races get sponsored, they would keep the "U.S. National" name alone because of its importiance. But those were the Wally years....
 
Title rights sponsors make sure there is enough money in the bank to put on the race. Entry fees and ticket purchases aren't nearly enough to cover the cost of putting on a race like the U.S. Nationals.
 
Title rights sponsors make sure there is enough money in the bank to put on the race. Entry fees and ticket purchases aren't nearly enough to cover the cost of putting on a race like the U.S. Nationals.

Well, I think we all understand the reason -why- (it's easy money) but seriously, if the difference between paying the bills and not paying the bills comes down to selling/not selling the title rights to six out of twenty-four races, it's a moot point. What's broke isn't the race. What's bloated isn't the actual cost of presenting a race. With memberships, racer's entries, a big cut of the spectator's gate, TV monies, licensing of the name NHRA, a cut of all merchandise sold at the track, etc. It's tough for me to believe the organization is run so close to the red that the naming rights of six races would kill it. Just my opinion ya know?
 
What TV revenue? NHRA pays ESPN to do the show!

lol

ummmm.....who in their right mind would pay for TV coverage if at some point, it didn't make them more revenue than what they paid for the TV coverage? If TV cost them money, then the NHRA gets a piece of the advertising action, if they don't, then do you think the NHRA considers paying ESPN for hours of coverage a VERY expensive ad campaign?

I don't get it....

PS...please point me to the articles that are resources of this information....I would love to read just how this whole business thing works....

or does it belong inside the "bloated" management comment?

or....

is this the standard fleecing of a "not-for-profit" by corporate types?

I truly am curious. I am currently sitting here wondering if I know of any other "anything" that doesn't earn revenue from TV broadcasting. Even PBS earns revenue by associate sponsors and memberships to pay the bills.
 
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lol

ummmm.....who in their right mind would pay for TV coverage if at some point, it didn't make them more revenue than what they paid for the TV coverage? If TV cost them money, then the NHRA gets a piece of the advertising action, if they don't, then do you think the NHRA considers paying ESPN for hours of coverage a VERY expensive ad campaign?

I don't get it....

PS...please point me to the articles that are resources of this information....I would love to read just how this whole business thing works....

or does it belong inside the "bloated" management comment?

or....

is this the standard fleecing of a "not-for-profit" by corporate types?

I truly am curious. I am currently sitting here wondering if I know of any other "anything" that doesn't earn revenue from TV broadcasting. Even PBS earns revenue by associate sponsors and memberships to pay the bills.

The source is NHRA tax returns which are published at DRO every year. Last tax year available -2011- NHRA spent $8 million to lease time on ESPN, it is their single biggest line item deduction. It has been discussed on here for years. NHRA is ostensibly an infomercial on ESPN.

If there is some sort of ad revenue share for their leased time on ESPN, I seriously doubt it covers the 8 million (or it was taken into account before that line item deduction), that is part of the reason event sponsors are important. You can sell them that for ~5 hours on ESPN2 that event weekend, their logo will be seen at every opportunity and Reiff and Dunn will say your company name every time the event is mentioned and in all bumps. Secondarily, there would be a greatly reduced value to team sponsorships without ESPN coverage. So while the NHRA might not directly profit from ESPN, the indirect monies are vital to health of the sport. In my opinion, it is money well spent.

EDIT: Wow, my memory is failing. A quick google search revealed 2010 as the most recent tax year on DRO and NHRA paid ESPN $17 million plus $500K for announcers. :eek:

:::Drag Racing Online::: Looking at NHRA’s 2010 Tax Return - 1/11/2012
 
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thanks for the info...

Infomercial....yup....so it IS treated as one big expensive ad. If I had any respect left for anyone in Glendora, I would lose it, but, I don't, so I won't.

I even find myself thinking of the people I do happen to like at HQ, sort of like that person that didn't break any laws, but didn't try to prevent it either....
 
Am I naive to think Forrest Lucas has an affinity towards the fans he mingles with every year in the Brainerd Zoo so much so that he continues to sponsor that race every year?

Or is it something like MN is a big AMS oil state so its smart business sense for Lucas Oil to sponsor a race up here?

I guess it doesn't matter, I'm thankful he continues to support the race (as I've told him personally in the zoo at least once).
 
indy will have a presenting sponsor; can't imagine nhra wants to absorb the cost for the 3rd time this year....just hope it's not the
'black iguana us nationals' :o

wonder if service central group is ready to play again? even if just for one race?
i could see toyota or geico giving it a look......would be great to get
a fresh name involved though, no matter what industry.
 
Well Mark Sponsorship is a major part of anything to do with racing .
If B Smith were in charge no doubt he would find that money better spent on his own cable Drag Racing , Show Car, Clasic car Channel and his own production company .
But then he is a visionary with a penchant for making a buck spent pay .
 
Now NHRA, pay back GM for their support by converting the ridiculously expensive Pro Stock to cars actually produced by the automakers....and make them 4 speeds while you are at it.

Off the subject...does anyone know where I can get access to NHRA's organizational charter and bylaws?
 

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