USA Today via Reuters
Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) lead the field for a restart during the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) lead the field for a restart during the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
NASCAR is often regarded as a favorite pastime for the United States of America. However, the numbers are not exactly reflecting that, and at the end of the day, is still a business.
Naturally, this is adversely affecting the revenue earned for each race, so NASCAR planned a meeting to address this. However, in a dramatic turn of events, it appears that there are talks of the teams potentially boycotting the meeting.
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Their primary gripe is that the revenue talks are not making any progress, at least in a manner that is in their favor.
Imago
LAS VEGAS, NV – March 6: William Byron, driver of the 24 Axalta Chevrolet, Kyle Larson, driver of the 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet and Alex Bowman, driver of the 48 Ally Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Pennzoil 400 on March 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, United States. Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx spp-en-LoGr-lrg230305183617_Nascar400pennzoil
Owing to this, there were suggestions of not attending the meeting as a symbolic boycott. According to Motorsport Reporter for Sports Business Journal, Adam Stern, NASCAR, responded to the rumors, “NASCAR is committed to open and productive dialogue on a regular basis with all industry stakeholders. We remain committed to continuing discussions in the spirit of collaboration and with the shared goal of growing our sport for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
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How has the NASCAR community responded to the news?
Of course, a fair number of fans were a bit excited when the news broke. This is because they anticipated that there is going to be a lot of drama surrounding this.
Some equated it to something out of a reality TV show and others commented that the situation was getting ‘spicy’.
The Real Housewives of Charlotte #NASCAR https://t.co/cBCcZXUvao
— Harry Loomis (@HBLoomis) April 5, 2023
The seas are not calm by any means https://t.co/I4cGvpcNrL
— Pete Pistone (@PPistone) April 5, 2023
What does not help matters is that the TV broadcast deals are expiring after the 2024 season. Furthermore, the TV viewership numbers of this year’s races have plummeted compared to last year. This does not bode well, just when NASCAR and the team owners were discussing a profitable revenue model. It is also worth mentioning that the charter agreement also ends after the 2024 season.
Oh boy!! 😳 https://t.co/0iIcWNts3q
— Rob J. (@nascar4_rob) April 5, 2023
Old heads are gonna cry over this. No doubt.
— Seth (@Seth_Cole33) April 5, 2023
— Max Malofy8️⃣🏁🦁 (@KBMV18) April 5, 2023
To make matters worse, the discussions have supposedly been ongoing for nearly six months. So seeing the very little progress has been made is a bit concerning. According to Jenna Fryer, the team owners want to directly deal with Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy.
It is my understanding the ownership group wants Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy at the negotiating table.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) April 5, 2023
One thing is for sure, the conflict between the two parties is reaching a boiling point and may be difficult to resolve.
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