[Mike24]

AT&T sues NASCAR over desired No. 31 logo change

By Sporting News Wire Service
March 17, 2007
10:29 AM EDT
HAMPTON, Ga. -- In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the structuring of sponsorship contracts in NASCAR racing, AT&T has filed suit against NASCAR in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, Sporting News confirmed Friday.
At issue, according to published reports, is the re-branding of Cingular Wireless as AT&T Wireless resulting from a federally approved merger between the two companies. Cingular sponsors the No. 31 Chevrolet owned by Richard Childress and driven by Jeff Burton.

Sprint/Nextel, a competitor of AT&T in the wireless communications arena, is the title sponsor of the Nextel Cup Series. The sponsorship agreement between Sprint/Nextel and NASCAR precludes any other wireless companies from sponsoring cars in the series. Alltel (which sponsors the No. 12 Dodge of Ryan Newman) and Cingular were grandfathered into the series because their agreements predated the title sponsorship of Sprint/Nextel.
Due to a planned phase-out of the Cingular brand, AT&T is seeking to replace the Cingular logos on Burton's car with AT&T logos. Talks between NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and AT&T reportedly reached an impasse.
It is AT&T's contention that nothing in its sponsorship contract prohibits a name change -- only that AT&T cannot increase its brand position on the car (Cingular is the primary sponsor) or transfer the sponsorship to another car.
NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said the sanctioning body was aware of the lawsuit only through reports in the media. It is NASCAR's official policy not to comment on the specifics of litigation while it is in process.
The filing of the suit preempted Burton's hope that a reasonable solution could be reached.
"It's going to have to be resolved," Burton told reporters Friday morning. "There comes a point where there are decisions that have to be made. From a company standpoint, we can't operate without sponsorship. We're going to have to get it resolved. (Continued)


"Sponsors just don't fall out of trees. We could be in the position of not having sponsorship, and, of course, that puts me and my whole team in a position to decide what we are going to do. I certainly don't want to be in that position, especially when we have a company that is willing to step up to the plate and sponsor us for many, many years in the future."
Note: On Friday, Robby Gordon removed the Motorola decal from the hood of his No. 7 Ford after NASCAR officials informed him that using Motorola as a primary Nextel Cup sponsor also violated a specific exclusivity provision of the title sponsorship agreement with Sprint/Nextel. Motorola has been an associate sponsor on Gordon's Cup car for the first three races of the season, which is permissible under the agreement.
"As the sanctioning body, it is NASCAR's responsibility to police the sport," Tharp said. "There are certain contractual agreements that must be abided by as they pertain to paint designs and sponsorships and how they are utilized. This was one of those cases."
Ironically, Sprint/Nextel uses Motorola as a supplier of cellular phones -- as do many wireless service providers -- and promotes Motorola phones in some of its advertising.



Ugh..............

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mike24

AT&T sues NASCAR over desired No. 31 logo change

By Sporting News Wire Service
March 17, 2007
10:29 AM EDT
HAMPTON, Ga. -- In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the structuring of sponsorship contracts in NASCAR racing, AT&T has filed suit against NASCAR in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, Sporting News confirmed Friday.
================================================== =====
Ironically, Sprint/Nextel uses Motorola as a supplier of cellular phones -- as do many wireless service providers -- and promotes Motorola phones in some of its advertising.



Ugh..............

I have only one word to express my feelings on this matter:


HOORAY!

[Mike24]

Nextel is just afraid of some competition with other companies coming in the sport, no wonder why they won't allow it.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Nextel is just afraid of some competition with other companies coming in the sport, no wonder why they won't allow it.

My total feelings on this one is posted in the "What Happened To Robby's Sponsor" thread.

Now, if someone would throw a anti-trust suit against ISC/NASCAR concerning the granting of race dates, we might see a significant change.

[mamagator54]

The last I knew NASCAR was about racing not about the sponsor. I could care less whether it is called the NEXTEL cup or anything else. I watch the race because I love the sport! Phone service has nothing to do with racing it should not be about telephones or any company. Any company that is willing to put money into NASCAR is good for NASCAR. Lately I have been wondering just how good NEXTEL is for NASCAR.
When the race is called the Bud Shoot out, should all other brewery companies be banned. Coca-Cola ban all other Pop brands, Home Depot ban Lowes and Menards, etc.......
Just my view.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by mamagator54

The last I knew NASCAR was about racing not about the sponsor. I could care less whether it is called the NEXTEL cup or anything else. I watch the race because I love the sport! Phone service has nothing to do with racing it should not be about telephones or any company. Any company that is willing to put money into NASCAR is good for NASCAR. Lately I have been wondering just how good NEXTEL is for NASCAR.
When the race is called the Bud Shoot out, should all other brewery companies be banned. Coca-Cola ban all other Pop brands, Home Depot ban Lowes and Menards, etc.......
Just my view.

Agreed 110% with everything you said. You hit it right on the nail.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by mamagator54

The last I knew NASCAR was about racing not about the sponsor. I could care less whether it is called the NEXTEL cup or anything else. I watch the race because I love the sport! Phone service has nothing to do with racing it should not be about telephones or any company. Any company that is willing to put money into NASCAR is good for NASCAR. Lately I have been wondering just how good NEXTEL is for NASCAR. When the race is called the Bud Shoot out, should all other brewery companies be banned. Coca-Cola ban all other Pop brands, Home Depot ban Lowes and Menards, etc.......
Just my view.

Not just your view, but the view of many, many, many race fans. This all started when Winston/RJR took over the sport from NASCAR in the early 70's. What we are seeing now is merely the culmination of over thirty years of bad behaviour on NASCAR's part, making decisions based solely on making money and not making the sport better, only more profitable.

Well put, Mamagator.

[LSC9901]

Here, here. You all have my vote. Run the race. I don't care what color your car is or who the sponsor is. Really means nothing if you came in second or lower anyway.

[Souporscotty]

Corporate sponsorship is a necessary evil. In ANY sport. The saddest part is that they are this ][ close to regulating sports.

[Jeffrey4318]

Well you do have to have the Bud Pole Award decal on you car through out the year to run the Bud Shootout. Teams like Petty Enterprise that don't have it on their cars are not allowed in the Bud Shootout. Wouldn't matter they could win 20 poles and they would still not be allowed to run it. It is kind of funny because there is a Bud decal on Kurt Busch's Miller Lite car. I'm sure Miller Brewing Company doesn't mind so they can get a car in their competitors race. I guess what I'm getting at is if a Miller car is allowed to race in the Bud Shootout because they run the Bud decal all year long. Then why can't another cellular compan run in the Nextel Cup if they are going to run the Nextel Cup decal all year long as well?


I'm really mixed on this subject. I really want more sponsor in Nascar. Especially for struggling one car operations like Robby Gordon's. On the other hand I am all for Nextel to protecting their investments. I mean they are shelling out over a 100 million dollars for this this sponsorship. That is alot of money and they worked it into their contract with Nascar that they are the only cellular company to be displayed in the Cup series. It was no different with Winston so why should it be different with Nextel? The only difference is you never heard any other ciggarette company complain they couldn't sponsor a Cup car. In this new day of the media where companies names can be out their in the public even more they want to stretch it out as much as possible. I really think I'm on Nextel's side on this one. Now I don't agree that Robby cant run a Motorola scheme because Motorola is a phone provider not a service provider. A phone provider that Nextel uses by the way.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Now, if someone would throw a anti-trust suit against ISC/NASCAR concerning the granting of race dates, we might see a significant change.

Uhm... Bob.. I think Kentucky Speedway is pretty much doin that. Anyways... Thank You AT&T you wonderful bastards... I hope you win. I hope Motorola drops all Sprint/Nextel as a client. AND I ESPECIALLY HOPE KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY WINS. May the powers that be in Na$car fall.

[simple simon]

this is just sad

big damn babies

[Racer Duck]

I really liked what mamagator54 had to say. Spoken like a true fan. And she's right, it shouldn't matter what kind of competition sponsors get into, it only matters how the cars and teams do.

Unfortunately NA$CAR is all about the dollar and could care less about racing .. they'd do away with all the racing if they could figure out how to bilk the fans and sponsors out of their $$$ without putting on a race. If things don't change, by 2025 we'll be reduced to watching SIM racing, 'cause NA$CAR won't have any "real" races.. the tracks will become giant theaters to watch the SIMs race.

the whole thought of that is depressing .. I'm going fishing...

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I really liked what mamagator54 had to say. Spoken like a true fan. And she's right, it shouldn't matter what kind of competition sponsors get into, it only matters how the cars and teams do.

Unfortunately NA$CAR is all about the dollar and could care less about racing .. they'd do away with all the racing if they could figure out how to bilk the fans and sponsors out of their $$$ without putting on a race. If things don't change, by 2025 we'll be reduced to watching SIM racing, 'cause NA$CAR won't have any "real" races.. the tracks will become giant theaters to watch the SIMs race.

the whole thought of that is depressing .. I'm going fishing...

Now, you are starting to think way out of proportions!

[Tuck4Bama]

This goes back to a post I made way back, NA$CAR is it's own worst enemy.