Hey Defender, did you ghost-write this??

[skypigeon]

"The lessons to be learned for open wheel racing are no mystery. The IRL needs a true TV partner that shares their passion and financial incentive for marketing the series. Right now, the Disney networks feel that they have no reason and no real financial incentive to expend a great deal of energy showing promos and growing the sport. The ratings are below the Mendoza line and ABC and ESPN have far too many higher profile sports that are going to absorb all of their creative and financial energy. They pay billions for the NBA and NFL, plus they have other big time sports and higher margin original programming that will make a bigger difference on Michael Eisner’s balance sheet and income statement.

Right now it looks like the IRL is something that ABC and ESPN simply have to carry in order to get the Indy 500. With Howard Katz gone, it’s not clear how much longer that’s going to be that important to ESPN/ABC Sports boss George Bodenheimer. Don’t get me wrong, either. This is not bashing the IRL; it’s a view shared by the folks at 16th and Georgetown as well. The IRL bosses are trying, but so far they’re getting few TV takers to buy into their vision. If Mike Pearl can be torn away from wooing Al Michaels for just a few moments, maybe he can be of some help."

--Mike McCarthy, Racing Around the Dial

https://www.racingone.com/column.asp?artnum=18109

[Defender]

Nope. But I do think an Arena Footall League-style deal with NBC is a prudent course.

ABC/ESPN MUST go.

[crispy]

Sorry, but ESPN and espn2 are way too nice to have as backup for ABC.

[Defender]

Not where the IRL is concerned. ESPN is even more hostile and ignorant about the IRL than ABC.

[Railbird]

is the guy who agreed to the ABC contract still employed?

who's negotiating the next package?

[akimbo]

Strange how things change isn't it. When Mr. Tony George rushed to re-up with ABC even though the contract wasn't due there were some who claimed that he was doing this because he would be in weaker position later. They also claimed that he made the deal for a bargain basement price. The amount of the deal was never announced and now it is clear that ABC doesn't have any real commitment to anything except the 500.

Sometimes things are just the way they look.

[Eagle104]

that is the proverbial 'dirty little secret', akimbo.

kinda probly doesn't put him in too strong a position to 'demand' from the partner some of the things that are suggested by some here.

not to mention that the thought of another network, stronger network, is best wished for upon a sHooting star.

it probably was the smart thing to do, and the league will probably leave well enough alone throughtout the contract.

[Defender]

ABC/ESPN is absolutely the most irresponsible, unprofessional, scummy broadcast 'partner' ever unleashed. Period. They do not DESERVE to continue with the IRL's superior product offering, particularly when it goes so wasted.

Tony and crew definitely never expected the shockingly low level of professionalism they have become the unwitting victim of.

ABC and even ESPN have a rich history of covering Indy Car racing in fine fashion. As the fortunes of Disney have slipped, so have those of coverage of the IRL.

To even hint Tony renegotiated for a longer term because he saw growth issues with the league is ludicrous. I think it's more because he saw issues with Disney looming on the horizon.

I'm sure Tony and crew like the 20+ million per year, but the long term negative effects are scary.

They'd take a hit in the short term with NBC, but an Arena-style deal is not only do-able, but better for the long term growth prospects.

[chuckwagon]

Originally posted by Defender
ABC/ESPN is absolutely the most irresponsible, unprofessional, scummy broadcast 'partner' ever unleashed. Period. They do not DESERVE to continue with the IRL's superior product offering, particularly when it goes so wasted.

Tony and crew definitely never expected the shockingly low level of unprofessionalism they have become the unwitting victim of.

ABC and even ESPN have a rich history of covering Indy Car racing in fine fashion. As the fortunes of Disney have slipped, so have those of coverage of the IRL.

To even hint Tony renegotiated for a longer term because he saw growth issues with the league is ludicrous. I think it's more because he saw issues with Disney looming on the horizon.

I'm sure Tony and crew like the 20+ million per year, but the long term negative effects are scary.

They'd take a hit in the short term with NBC, but an Arena-style deal is not only do-able, but better for the long term growth prospects.

Not to pick nits, but don't you mean the shockingly low level of professionalism??

[Defender]

Originally posted by chuckwagon
Not to pick nits, but don't you mean the shockingly low level of professionalism??

Yes.