tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post1772208934670859445..comments2024-01-11T19:29:38.859-05:00Comments on Life in the Turn Lane: Hard to find any real winners in AT&T vs. NASCAR, but neither wants to be the loserUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-45939657563896301982007-08-26T21:11:00.000-04:002007-08-26T21:11:00.000-04:00Can someone please explain why NASCAR is so wrong ...Can someone please explain why NASCAR is so wrong here? They made a deal with NEXTEL for exclusivity, one that pays 70 MILLION DOLLARS a year. NASCAR is well entitled to do that, and they can set the rules as to who races, what kind of cars get driven, what the paint schemes look like (notice, no internet porn sites), and the rules. The race teams out there - RCR, Hendrick, Gibbs, DEI, etc) are all INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. They have no RIGHT to race at all, they are welcome to compete as long as they follow NASCAR rules. In theory, they dont HAVE to have a sponsor at all, but they all do in order to offset costs and make a profit (it is, after all a business). So the rules are laid out by NASCAR, and if that happens to interfere with one of the business dealings with one of the independent contractors, too bad! <BR/><BR/>Everyone just loves to get all over the France family, but if it wasnt for them and their good business sense, there would be NO NASCAR as we know it, if at all. Yes, they as a family have more money than any of us out here could possibly dream about, but thy earned it and they deserve it. <BR/><BR/>How would some of the smaller teams feel if they could no longer get a cut of that 70 million per year to offset costs? Would they survive? Everyone loves to get pissed at the big guy - big teams, NASCAR, whoever, but did what would happen if/when Sprint/NEXTEL decided that their investment was no longer paying dividends because of an AT&T car and pulls out? Whats going to happen if they cant find a major sponsor for the Busch Series next year? Is it a coincidence that they havent announced anyone yet? Could there be a company waiting to see how this law suit plays out before committing all that marketing money to this series? How much money is being exclusive worth? I know for 70 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR I best damn make sure there are no other cellular carriers driving around during MY event!<BR/><BR/>Dont be fooled into believing that AT&T is a victim here, they too have tons of money and have had plenty of opportunity to be involved in the sport. This is a gigantic PR game that AT&T is playing with the NASCAR fans, and for those of you who cant see it, thats a shame. If you feel the need to switch carriers, do it for the service, not because you've been duped.<BR/><BR/>How is it that they have no RIGHT to dictate who can be a sponsor?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-80515138378641007902007-08-26T11:26:00.000-04:002007-08-26T11:26:00.000-04:00AT&T has 'exclusive' rights to the Iphone, and now...AT&T has 'exclusive' rights to the Iphone, and now some 17 year old kid with a soldering iron has broken the security code that allows Iphone to be used by any wireless company.<BR/><BR/>The irony of this Iphone deal is the AT&T also is paying big bucks to Apple to insure that no other cell phone provider will be able to use the Iphone. Just a guess here, but I am thinking that AT&T will fight just as hard as Nascar/Nextel to protect their exclusive investment.okla21fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13510135260252333633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-60478254603574691222007-08-26T00:54:00.000-04:002007-08-26T00:54:00.000-04:00"The problem is NASCAR has no right to mandate exc..."The problem is NASCAR has no right to mandate exclusivity clauses in sponsor contracts - they have no right to tell sponsors they can't participtae in the sport, and this is what NASCAR is telling AT&T."<BR/><BR/>Why does Nascar not have that right?<BR/><BR/>I think AT&T is being ridiculous. I don't have any intention of switching from AT&T (which I've had for years with few issues) to Nextel/Sprint, but if there was no clause that allowed Cingular to be bought out and use the purchasing company's logos on the car, then sorry, too bad for them.<BR/><BR/>Switch roles: If Nextel was Burton's sponsor and AT&T was the Nascar Cup Series sponsor, you could almost guarantee that AT&T would refuse to allow RCR to run the Sprint logos on Burton's car, if they had the same contract that Nextel has right now. <BR/><BR/>If Nascar isn't allowed to uphold its contracts, that could tumble down through the ranks and affect team sponsorships.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-27061115623408191582007-08-25T14:39:00.000-04:002007-08-25T14:39:00.000-04:00Burce, NASCAR can afford to have dueling sponsors ...Burce, NASCAR can afford to have dueling sponsors in the sport - this whole exclusivity deal is not protecting sponsors as much as chasing them away.Monkeesfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14522953722006761283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-91813253335147930682007-08-25T13:34:00.000-04:002007-08-25T13:34:00.000-04:00I was on hold with AT&T over 45 minutes one day an...I was on hold with AT&T over 45 minutes one day and 25 minutes the next. It seems to me that they need to put their money and efforts into their customer service instead of cars running around in circles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-6914197720227550502007-08-25T12:36:00.000-04:002007-08-25T12:36:00.000-04:00Hi David,I think it's an interesting request NASCA...Hi David,<BR/><BR/>I think it's an interesting request NASCAR has made of the industry regarding the AT&T 31 car that has no logos! (OK, with that being said)<BR/><BR/>NASCAR is a business. They are protecting the contracts they have drafted with entities.<BR/><BR/>AT&T is making a lot of media by digging in. (It's all press for them.) So whether they win or lose, they've got more media exposure. (Does anyone remember the last time AT&T fought a major case against them?)<BR/><BR/>Exclusive contracts do draw the sponsors interested in taking advantage of the growing NASCAR market share. Without sponsors, we wouldn't be watching our races in the comfort of our homes, because if you haven't noticed, everything you do and everywhere you go is saddled with advertising.<BR/><BR/>And with that being said, here's my dose of irrationality:<BR/><BR/>AT&T: Put the old logo back into play, and call it your Cingular Racing Division. Then, rather than spending your money in the courts, spend it in a brazen marketing storm so we can quit being distracted.<BR/><BR/>by Bruce SimmonsBruce E Simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07346688016868831820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-27615473205557346732007-08-25T12:12:00.000-04:002007-08-25T12:12:00.000-04:00Anonymous #18, they know the rules and followed th...Anonymous #18, they know the rules and followed them - NASCAR is jerking them around.Monkeesfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14522953722006761283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-45247382758858507802007-08-25T10:52:00.000-04:002007-08-25T10:52:00.000-04:00The thing that gets me about this would be the arr...The thing that gets me about this would be the arrogance of NASCAR. I read the other day where them winning in court was equal to "David beating Goliath". Which is funny. And horrible. If NASCAR is David, there's no way you could ever consider RCR Goliath. Now, I think they meant AT&T as Goliath, but what a bad word choice. RCR is gonna get screwed out of a loyal sponsor if NASCAR wins, and I doubt Mr. France or Helton care if the 31 car goes under due to lack of sponsorship.<BR/><BR/>The thing that pisses me off is they're sucking up so much money from official sponsors of NASCAR, and they're basically competing against team owners for those dollars. And team owners need the funding much much more than the sanctioning body does. Sunoco could be on a car, Tylenol could be on a car, etc... Maybe some of those smaller teams could have a chance, but it's difficult when you're fighting your own sanctioning body for sponsor dollars. NASCAR should be there to fairly sanction and govern the races, but they're way too greedy and arrogant. B. France just sees dollar signs everywhere.<BR/>To conclude, I wish someone would be able to fine NASCAR a large amount of money for violating Rule 12-4-A; "actions detrimental to the sport, conduct unbecoming of a sanctioning body".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-59186485289770747172007-08-25T10:21:00.000-04:002007-08-25T10:21:00.000-04:00All you all that say NASCAR looks bad over this AT...All you all that say NASCAR looks bad over this AT&T thing,grow up. Exclusivity inspires larger contracts, which is good for everyone, not just Jeff Burton. NASCAR don't want Cingular or Altell PERIOD. Get a new sponser for crying out loud. RCR has litterally had years to move forward with a new sponser and have chosen to dig in there heals. How's that working out for ya RCR? As for you folks saying your gonna drop Nextell/Sprint as your carriers over this, I bet every damn one of ya shops at Wal-Mart, which has done more to destoy America than any other business. (See: Wal-Mart the high cost of Low prices, @ your video store. Finally, Jeff Burton fans are a bunch of whining babies just like him. Hmm...I wonder if Tony Stewert fans are a bunch of talk before you think types. Have a nice day GO 48 !Daniel The Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095384739703410368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-74849919365029908062007-08-25T08:57:00.000-04:002007-08-25T08:57:00.000-04:00Because of the exclusivity rights and the grandfat...Because of the exclusivity rights and the grandfather clause, Nextel/Sprint only had to worry about two competitors with regard to sponsorship.<BR/><BR/>Now with Cingular becoming AT&T, they have two competitors as before. Why would NASCAR or Nextel have a problem with that?<BR/><BR/>Cingular had the grandfather clause, just because the company changes hands it should not be penalized.<BR/><BR/>This is hurting Sprint big time. They ought to just tell NASCAR to lay off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-54179717778651827712007-08-25T08:19:00.000-04:002007-08-25T08:19:00.000-04:00I have no sympathy for AT&T. They knew the rules....I have no sympathy for AT&T. They knew the rules. Time for RCR and AT&T to move on and quit whining and crying. This is not NASCAR's fault.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-63151849747765313882007-08-25T08:09:00.000-04:002007-08-25T08:09:00.000-04:00Has anyone noticed that The Espn poll Shown during...Has anyone noticed that The Espn poll Shown during the race is done by A.T.&TAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-32601315230823916332007-08-25T01:38:00.000-04:002007-08-25T01:38:00.000-04:00Well, I did my part and dumped Sprint in favor of ...Well, I did my part and dumped Sprint in favor of "Cingular", AT&T Mobility. It doesn't take up to 48 hours to get my voicemail notifications. I don't drop every other call and have a phone that will actually hold a charge and pick up a signal everywhere I go.<BR/><BR/>I live in a very large metropolitan area and my Sprint phone would lose signal and drop calls all over the place. The sweetest thing is my phone plan is cheaper, even with an extra phone on it. Gotta love it.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I think AT&T will ultimately prevail. There is nothing indicating that name changes are not allowed. If there is no verbage stating as such, then Nascar has a problem. Go get 'em AT&T and RCR!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-48661371420129164102007-08-25T01:29:00.000-04:002007-08-25T01:29:00.000-04:00The problem is NASCAR has no right to mandate excl...The problem is NASCAR has no right to mandate exclusivity clauses in sponsor contracts - they have no right to tell sponsors they can't participtae in the sport, and this is what NASCAR is telling AT&T. We as fans need AT&T to win this battle because what NASCAR is doing to chasing away sponsors and taking more and more away from teams for its own personal aggrandizement; defeating NASCAR in court will force NASCAR to end exclusivity clauses and allow more sponsors into the sport. And no, Nextel won't quit because they'll then have competition from rival telecommunication companies any more than RJR quit when Skoal quickly established a promonent role in the sport's sponsorship.Monkeesfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14522953722006761283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-10973151115130990052007-08-24T23:42:00.000-04:002007-08-24T23:42:00.000-04:00Brian and his family members are only interested i...Brian and his family members are only interested in what is financially beneficial to them. Business (can you say money), pure and simple.<BR/><BR/>It appears pretty apparent that AT&T is taking on NASCAR in its name so as to prevent RCR having to jeopardize its standing with NASCAR. The appellate court appears correct - one contract is between AT&T and RCR and the other is between NASCAR and NEXTEL, so what standing does AT&T have to intervene in a contract to which it is not a party? Unfortunately, none unless they can find another way to "back door" their way in, which is unlikely based on the appellate ruling.<BR/><BR/>While I don't like it I think everybody is going to have to live with it, even RCR and AT&T. But I am stymied trying to figure out how Ms. Earnhardt got brought into this. Think I'll sleep on that one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-34498013569468869682007-08-24T21:19:00.000-04:002007-08-24T21:19:00.000-04:00Sprint/Nextel could come out of this being the big...Sprint/Nextel could come out of this being the big losers. NASCAR fans have always proven to be loyal to sponsors but usually to the driver's sponsors. Many other boards I have read are calling for a boycott of Sprint/Nextel. I have been with Sprint in the past and had nothing but problems. The best (or funniest) scenario would be for Jeff Burton to win the Championship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-61058357244664112822007-08-24T18:44:00.000-04:002007-08-24T18:44:00.000-04:00The comment about Nextel being "smart" enough to i...The comment about Nextel being "smart" enough to incorporate a provision in their sponsorship allowing them to change the name of the series once is not analagous to AT&T wanting to change their name. Obviously, NASCAR doesn't want the name of the series to be changing incessantly...it is expensive and dilutes the brand of NASCAR for the top series. AT&T could change their name daily, and it makes no effect on the sanctioning body, or the team they sponsor, so long as they are footing the bill for the sponsorship. Thus, even if Cingular had a provision that they could change their name once (which doesn't make sense, they should be able to change it as they please for co-marketing and branding, like Mars does with their candy brands and Coke does with coke brands), it would likely not be grandfathered in, as you asserted that it would, since the change would be contested by NASCAR and Sprint under the same grounds that they are contesting the change. Read the complaint.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, this is incredibly hypocritical for NASCAR, and hurts the potential for sponsors to get into the sport, since there is a potential that they could be blocked from opening or expanding their brand into a new market due to exclusivity of that market potentially being given to another company. Monopolies aren't good for free markets, and no exception should be made for NASCAR. These exclusivity agreements don't increase sponsorship, they hinder it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-49854347761415078822007-08-24T17:34:00.000-04:002007-08-24T17:34:00.000-04:00I think that AT&T should take over as title sponso...I think that AT&T should take over as title sponsor for the "former" Busch Series and make it more popular and attractive than the Nextel Cup. Have higher purses to attract the cup drivers and make it the "Premier" Nascar series and have Nextel (Sprint or whatever) play second fiddle. I am sure AT&T can afford to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-29475274490091590752007-08-24T17:12:00.000-04:002007-08-24T17:12:00.000-04:00Andrew, Nextel was smart enough to negotiate one n...Andrew, Nextel was smart enough to negotiate one name change into their contract, which is why they are allowed to change the name of the series. Too bad ATT didn't have the smarts to stay in the series and get grandfathered. Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes on ATT's part.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-46885424759364494182007-08-24T17:09:00.000-04:002007-08-24T17:09:00.000-04:00Obviously, NASCAR hasn't thought what will happen ...Obviously, NASCAR hasn't thought what will happen when due to their exclusivity contracts with series sponsors precludes the owners ability to maintain or gain sponsorship for the teams. No viable team sponsors means no car to field. No cars means no race.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-22534107830668905792007-08-24T17:05:00.000-04:002007-08-24T17:05:00.000-04:00Well that was overboard..surely to god there is a ...Well that was overboard..surely to god there is a compromise in there somewhere...I agreed with the Nextel_Nascar stance up till this point ..however this kind of childish action leaves a bad taste in my mouth..what ever points nascar had ganed they just lost and set themselves up as the bad guy PR wise...If we can have Camel in the Winston Cup series with some creative marketing with the Smokin Joe campaign surely we can have the same thing here...Somebody in Daytona Beach didn't have their thinking caps onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-28562688471248869762007-08-24T16:46:00.000-04:002007-08-24T16:46:00.000-04:00I guess it's easy to hate NASCAR on this one.In th...I guess it's easy to hate NASCAR on this one.<BR/><BR/>In the business world, ensuring exclusivity to your title sponsor is worth employing the grandfather clause. AT&T knew that this would happen and chose to fight it rather than accept it.<BR/><BR/>If you speed and get caught, it's not the police's fault for enforcing the rules. AT&T is trying to speed because they are AT&TAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-54228194513061307602007-08-24T16:27:00.000-04:002007-08-24T16:27:00.000-04:00There wouldn't be this problem if AT&T has signed ...There wouldn't be this problem if AT&T has signed up as the primary sponsor for BAM Racing at the beginning of the 2003 season, they would have fallen under the grandfather clause.Andrew S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00515801162530641305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-15894859092161969342007-08-24T14:40:00.001-04:002007-08-24T14:40:00.001-04:00Obviously NASCAR (and for that matter add Teresa E...Obviously NASCAR (and for that matter add Teresa Earnhardt) don't pay any attention to the FANS and their comments, or do they really care. Among my cohorts NASCAR is the heavy and is alienating fans over this AT&T matter, just as TE has done with Jr. Not to worry Jeff Burton or Jr. we'll follow you wherever you go and no matter who your sponser is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366637.post-24143870786008735792007-08-24T14:40:00.000-04:002007-08-24T14:40:00.000-04:00I think the 31 team should take the high road, run...I think the 31 team should take the high road, run a "Get Well, Max Helton" scheme, and shame NASCAR. How can NASCAR run a major sponsor out of the sport when it knows how many teams are fighting to find sponsorship? And maybe somebody should explain the term "Pyrrhic victory" to NASCAR. (And spell it for them.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com