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StumblePublished Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 | 10:17 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 | 8:48 a.m.
To say that Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., is a colorful character is like saying Tony Stewart has a temper. It’s glaringly obvious. Smith isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and I like that.
Since shyness is not a word that’s in Smith’s vocabulary, reporters start to salivate at the possibility of a verbal blast of hot exhaust anytime he’s near a microphone.
Smith didn’t disappoint this week, when answering questions from reporters, by mentioning that a blackout should be imposed in television markets where the races aren’t sold out. Smith believes this is a good way to fill the grandstands. “It worked for the NFL,” Smith said.
Wow. As if many NASCAR fans aren’t already feeling alienated. This idea has a punitive smell to it that would only further anger fans who feel the sport doesn’t address their concerns. Not to mention that it would seem to result in lower television ratings.
Working class families with dwindling disposable incomes aren’t going to be threatened into attending a race, assuming they even have enough money to purchase tickets.
Fortunately, NASCAR’s Brian France and Mike Helton aren’t taking Smith’s idea seriously.
Nevertheless, Smith did have another point about boosting attendance that I liked. He contended that the drivers should spend less time “running and hiding” and more time signing autographs. Absolutely! I’m not sure I agree with his stipulation that drivers who aren’t available for autograph sessions should forfeit 10 percent of their winnings from the race, but I think accessibility to a driver can do more than just about anything to solidify a fan’s devotion to the sport.
As oft noted in these posts, Na$car is a business and Bruton has shareholders who need him to be putting their interests first. In fact, folks holding SMI stock may view Bruton as their Steve Jobs, crucial to health and growth of their investment. Speaking of health, any word on how his daughter is recovering from her serious accident last month?
It's true shareholders have to be kept happy, but if that is the primary goal at the expense of fans' loyalty, then the product and the stock price will only be devalued more.
Bruton's hypothetical argument is that NFL fans haven't lost loyalty even with a local tv blackout scheme. I don't believe that he thought for one moment that such a comment would simply be translated into policy because he suggested it in a press conference, rather, I think it was an elbow to the ribs of the France team that they need to help fill the stands with paying customers, not just worry about sagging tv ratings.
Na$car fans are intensely loyal, despite the ups and downs of the sport, the economy, etc. They may not be able to express their passion with as many tickets, tshirts and tailgate parties this year, but those that can will, and more will join them when better times return.
The sport has grown too big too quickly.
Sponsors are asked to drop $10M-$20M a year, car manufacturers are asked to support teams for cars that look like nothing you'd find in a showroom and megateams have crushed the little guy who wants to own and run his own team.
Football thrives because the salary cap is a great equalizer and allows teams to regain footing within a few years. Think the Wood brothers will ever be able to compete with Hendrick, Roush or Gibbs?
The NFL team owners are at the top of the food chain (like the France family), the Na$car team owners are not. The France corporation also owns tracks, the radio and tv broadcast rights (including MRN and other production facilities), even some of the souvenir brands. They own most every little track and little race series as well.
The NFL owners have a set number of teams of their choosing, Na$car accepts all comers (who meet their 'unavailable for public scrutiny' rules), so if you succeed, you stay around, if you fail, you may eventually fold (which takes some teams decades). If you don't like it, go run IRL (and deal with the George family).
The Na$car picture is further complicated because of Bruton's role as a track owner (which is useful to Na$car to stave off monopoly charges). I'd love to see a complete, accurate accounting of where all the money comes from, where it all goes, and who is risking money and who are guaranteed results throughout the Na$car landscape.
Na$car's effect on the American economy might be larger than most people think, certainly larger than the NFL's.
As I scanned the comments above, I think one salient point is missing. In the NFL seats are expected to be filled by local fans. No one expects that of NASCAR. If you want more fans in the seats at a Cup race in Las Vegas you might think about blacking it out in Michigan. NASCAR is not the NFL!