DirectTV is no longer present

Posted by Iannucci | 1/29/2009 | 6 comments »
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Remember how last year "presented in DirecTV HD" was integrated into all sort of things, including the IndyCar series logo? Yeah, well, umm, scratch that. From The Score:

(IRL Spokesman John) Griffin confirmed that the IRL also lost DirecTV as a presenting sponsor. Griffin said the series’ deal with DirecTV broke down when IRL signed a deal to air races on Comcast-owned Versus cable TV channel.

“One of DirecTV’s biggest competitors is Comcast,” Griffin said. “They felt it didn’t make sense to have their logo and support in a position where it supported a Comcast initiative in any way.”
At last, I finally understand why DirecTV turned down the opportunity to sponsor this site.

6 comments

  1. John in Speedway // January 29, 2009 1:19 PM  

    I assume the marketing execs at the IRL knew this would happen, otherwise that was a bonehead move. DirecTv was a solid sponsor at the time, but a good quality TV deal is more important. I'd rather have decent programming (pre-race, post race, weekly shows, extended May coverage, etc.) on TV, rather than a presenting sponsor if I had to pick one. I'm betting we'll get a title sponsor next year. The series name sounded funny anyways with just a presenting sponsor and no title sponsor.

  2. pressdog // January 29, 2009 1:57 PM  

    understandable on DTV's part. Who knows how much money a "presenting" sponsor kicks in? Could be a million, could be 5 million, could be 100K. I guess I will no longer feel guilty about watching on my Dish Network TV.

  3. Anonymous // January 29, 2009 9:26 PM  

    pffft... how many years did both series go without "presenting" sponsors? no big whoop.

    John's right.
    A presenting sponsor means diddly squat if there is no TV package to present on. The Versus deal was the obvious choice.

  4. Fred Hurley // January 30, 2009 7:45 AM  

    And doesn't the following sound better anyway?

    "The *Sponsor* IndyCar National Championship presented in Comcast HD"

  5. John in Speedway // January 30, 2009 9:09 AM  

    I kind of like "World Series" as opposed to "National Championship". That's a good throwback too.

  6. Anonymous // January 30, 2009 4:29 PM  

    Vision Racing is bummed... Ed Carpenter's ride can lose the white & go with a straight shade of MENARD'S Yellow.

    no one else really cares. Maybe Comcast & IZOD can hook up & re-plug Raha -Letterman???