[vincesanity82]

When the NASCAR star announced Wednesday that his sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch Cos. is up in the air, he threw into question a nearly decade-long partnership that is one of the most recognizable corporate sponsorships in the sporting world. The nation's biggest brewer has made its name synonymous with Earnhardt's No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet. If Anheuser-Busch loses Earnhardt's contract, it could affect the brewer's overall marketing plan, said Benj Steinman, publisher of Beer Marketer's Insights. ``It's been a long-term lynchpin of their sponsorships,'' Steinman said.
Anheuser-Busch still holds massive sponsorship contracts with high-profile events, such as the Super Bowl. But Earnhardt is a particularly profitable athlete to sponsor because many of his fans are beer drinkers, Steinman said.
Earnhardt suggested Wednesday the field is open for other companies to swoop in and put their tag on his car now that he has joined Hendrick Motorsports.
``Rick (Hendrick) has to decide what will fit in the cupboard and what won't. I want to give him the best opportunity to put together the best deal that will help,'' Earnhardt said.
Earnhardt's contract with Anheuser-Busch isn't set to expire for another year. Like any good NASCAR racer, he was quick to give praise to his current sponsor Wednesday.
``I like Budweiser, and they're funner than hell,'' he said.
The feelings of warmth seemed mutual.
``Anheuser-Busch has enjoyed a remarkable relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. since our sponsorship commenced back in 1999,'' Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of global media and sports marketing, said in an e-mail statement.
Ponturo suggested the company wasn't prepared to let Earnhardt slip away too easily.
``We look forward to exploring options with Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports to continue Budweiser's relationship with him as he enters this new stage of his racing career,'' Ponturo said.
An Anheuser-Busch spokesman said Ponturo wouldn't comment beyond the brief statement or discuss any details of the company's contract with Earnhardt.
Earnhardt has driven under the Budweiser crown since he started his NASCAR career. Earnhardt will replace 22-year-old Kyle Busch at Hendrick Motorsports. It's possible that Hendrick could trade Busch's No. 5 to Earnhardt's former company DEI for the No. 8, if Busch signs with Earnhardt's old team.


Budweiser sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in question - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

[tkj24]

HMS used to have Budwiser on the #25 car.

[JG24]

Originally Posted by tkj24

HMS used to have Budwiser on the #25 car.

True, and when the 08 season comes around i think that the #5 will carry Budwieser as the cars main sponsor. I dont see bud and jr splitting ways

[Souporscotty]

Isn't the sponsorship contract with the OWNER instead of the driver? RH said at the press confrence that HE had long-term sponsor contracts to honor.

[tkj24]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Isn't the sponsorship contract with the OWNER instead of the driver? RH said at the press confrence that HE had long-term sponsor contracts to honor.

The sponsorship between BUD and DEI is contingent on Dale Jr driving the car.

[Jeffrey4318]

Originally Posted by tkj24

The sponsorship between BUD and DEI is contingent on Dale Jr driving the car.

I don't think that was the point that scotty was trying to make. I believe the point was wether Hendricks had room for Bud on his team. How do you explain to Carquest and Kelloggs that they can't sponsor the car they signed a contract for?

Also I doubt Carquest/Kelloggs had a option in the contract that if KB left they would too.

[LSC9901]

Once again, a lot of speculation by a bunch of us who really have no clue. I'm sure some sponsors work with the team, some with the driver and others who do a combination. Sponsors aren't so naive that they don't have a clue that driver "A" may leave the current team so they may feel that signing the majority of their deal with the driver is the best route. That way if they want they can follow the driver. Since they are the ones spending the millions I'd have to believe that they have the most say in the matter.

[Quality88]

Once again I will sit back and wait for the dust to settle.... but I would be willing to bet that Bud will do whatever it takes to be Jr's sponsor.

[jks812]

Did anybody else see after qualifying when they said Bud is talking to other drivers, but they are really talking to Kasey Kahne?