2014 TV map

[Z28]

http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/12/...14-TV-schedule



Prepare for an even bigger slide on TV. All of 3 venues, meaning 4 weekends will be on ABC to total 5 races. St. Pete, 2 at Indy and 2 at Belle Isle.


The other thing that stands out when you see the schedule on a map is the lack of Indycar races in the well populated NE portion of the country and the incredible swath from the Atlantic to the Pacific NW where there are no Indycar races but both NASCAR and the NHRA seem to be able to go.

[TimmyZ1]

http://www.indycar.com/News/2013/12/...14-TV-schedule



Prepare for an even bigger slide on TV. All of 3 venues, meaning 4 weekends will be on ABC to total 5 races. St. Pete, 2 at Indy and 2 at Belle Isle.


The other thing that stands out when you see the schedule on a map is the lack of Indycar races in the well populated NE portion of the country and the incredible swath from the Atlantic to the Pacific NW where there are no Indycar races but both NASCAR and the NHRA seem to be able to go.

Nascar doesn't go anywere near the Pacific NW

[Buellboy]

NASCAR hasn't got a foothold in the Pacific NW yet. A region that used to host two Indycar races (Vancouver BC and Portland, OR). Why Indycar doesn't expend any effort getting back into this market is beyond me.

[TimmyZ1]

NASCAR hasn't got a foothold in the Pacific NW yet in a region that used to host two indycar races (Vancouver BC and Portland, OR). Why Indycar doesn't expend any effort getting back into this market is beyond me.

+1 very frustrating

[Fro]

I would think the "Grand Prix of Indianapolis" would pull a bigger number than the average ABC race.

[Thorzdad]

Why Indycar doesn't expend any effort getting back into this market is beyond me.

Who's to say they aren't trying?
I don't understand why, if a track isn't on the schedule, people assume Indycar isn't trying to get in there. It takes two to tango, and if the tracks or promoters aren't particularly interested, or can't come up with the fee, there's not a lot Indycar can do.

[jkeener24]

Who's to say they aren't trying?
I don't understand why, if a track isn't on the schedule, people assume Indycar isn't trying to get in there. It takes two to tango, and if the tracks or promoters aren't particularly interested, or can't come up with the fee, there's not a lot Indycar can do.

At some point they're going to have to adjust the sanctioning fee or revamp the business model, unless 60,000+ start showing up.

[Buellboy]

Who's to say they aren't trying?
I don't understand why, if a track isn't on the schedule, people assume Indycar isn't trying to get in there. It takes two to tango, and if the tracks or promoters aren't particularly interested, or can't come up with the fee, there's not a lot Indycar can do.

I live here. If Indycar is trying to get back in this market they are being real quite about it.

[Buellboy]

At some point they're going to have to adjust the sanctioning fee or revamp the business model, unless 60,000+ start showing up.

NASCAR's business model is essentially multi-million dollar track rentals built on TV revenue. I think Indycar needs to find a way to fund the purse or leader circle money by some means other than sanctioning fees. A very tall task, but this would free the tracks to host races and make a profit without that enormous financial burden. We would probably see a lot more ovals on the schedule if they found a way to do this.

[mikew]

At some point they're going to have to adjust the sanctioning fee or revamp the business model, unless 60,000+ start showing up.

+1

The business model now: Pay IndyCar 1.5 million (or so), look for a title sponsor, promote event to sell tickets, sell a bunch of hot dogs, add some support events, pray for nice weather and a good walkup. All the liability is on the promoter.

NASCAR business model now: Track gets share of TV money, track and nascar jointly promote the event, track and nascar seek title sponsor, track and nascar split ticket revenue. Most tracks make money before they even sell a single ticket because of the share of TV money.

Yeah, IndyCar doesn't have squat as far as TV money goes, but IndyCar may attract more promoters/tracks if they were willing to share some of the risk on events. Maybe they should consider lowering the sanctioning fee, jointly promote the events with the tracks and split ticket revenue. That way, the track isn't the only one assuming financial risk if tickets don't sell well, bad weather, etc.

[lddk24fan]

I will go on record and say that Indycar's ratings on NBCSN will improve the channel is starting to make some in roads. I do think it hurts not having Texas, Pocono, or Fontana on ABC.

[jkeener24]

NASCAR's business model is essentially multi-million dollar track rentals built on TV revenue. I think Indycar needs to find a way to fund the purse or leader circle money by some means other than sanctioning fees. A very tall task, but this would free the tracks to host races and make a profit without that enormous financial burden. We would probably see a lot more ovals on the schedule if they found a way to do this.

+1

The business model now: Pay IndyCar 1.5 million (or so), look for a title sponsor, promote event to sell tickets, sell a bunch of hot dogs, add some support events, pray for nice weather and a good walkup. All the liability is on the promoter.

NASCAR business model now: Track gets share of TV money, track and nascar jointly promote the event, track and nascar seek title sponsor, track and nascar split ticket revenue. Most tracks make money before they even sell a single ticket because of the share of TV money.

Yeah, IndyCar doesn't have squat as far as TV money goes, but IndyCar may attract more promoters/tracks if they were willing to share some of the risk on events. Maybe they should consider lowering the sanctioning fee, jointly promote the events with the tracks and split ticket revenue. That way, the track isn't the only one assuming financial risk if tickets don't sell well, bad weather, etc.

Agreed. I have no idea what is viable, but they have to do something.

[atrackforumfan]

NASCAR business model now: Track gets share of TV money, track and nascar jointly promote the event, track and nascar seek title sponsor, track and nascar split ticket revenue. Most tracks make money before they even sell a single ticket because of the share of TV money.

AFAIK, the Cup tracks don't share (certainly don't split) at-track income with Nascar, including race title, tickets, concessions. That would show, for example, as an 8 or 9 figure expense in the SMI and ISC annual reports. Not to be argumentative, but do you have a source?

[MM658]

At some point they're going to have to adjust the sanctioning fee or revamp the business model, unless 60,000+ start showing up.

+1

The business model now: Pay IndyCar 1.5 million (or so), look for a title sponsor, promote event to sell tickets, sell a bunch of hot dogs, add some support events, pray for nice weather and a good walkup. All the liability is on the promoter.

...

IndyCar doesn't have squat as far as TV money goes, but IndyCar may attract more promoters/tracks if they were willing to share some of the risk on events. Maybe they should consider lowering the sanctioning fee, jointly promote the events with the tracks and split ticket revenue. That way, the track isn't the only one assuming financial risk if tickets don't sell well, bad weather, etc.

+1 to jkeener24's comment.

In mikew's reply, what I bolded was basically the approach that Randy Bernard was trying to move towards. Lacking a huge pot of TV and sponsor money like NASCAR has, the risk-sharing approach might be the best way to open up more options for the schedule.

It takes two to tango, and if the tracks or promoters aren't particularly interested, or can't come up with the fee, there's not a lot Indycar can do.

With so many tracks not interested or unable to come up with the fee, the evidence seems to indicate that EVERYTHING that must be done lies at the feet of IndyCar. Miles needs to start thinking: "maybe the whole racing industry isn't messed up -- maybe it's us."

[jkeener24]

With so many tracks not interested or unable to come up with the fee, the evidence seems to indicate that EVERYTHING that must be done lies at the feet of IndyCar. Miles needs to start thinking: "maybe the whole racing industry isn't messed up -- maybe it's us."

Agreed.

And the next step is what IC can do to change that.

If we think we have a good product, we need to figure out a way to get it in front of people. It's silly to demand a sanctioning fee no one will pay. I feel like it's thrown out all the time, but 2015 is going to tell the tale for me. Either Miles will realize things have to change and come out with an alternate plan that gets tracks interested, or we continue circling the drain. I'm going to be optimistic.