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.At last, I finally understand why DirecTV turned down the opportunity to sponsor this site.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
And doesn't the following sound better anyway?
"The *Sponsor* IndyCar National Championship presented in Comcast HD"
I kind of like "World Series" as opposed to "National Championship". That's a good throwback too.
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???