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NBC Sports And Turner Sports Acquire Television Rights To NASCAR
Posted: Thursday November 11, 1999 04:59 PM Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., NBC Sports and NASCAR have reached agreement on a six-year contract giving NBC and TBS Superstation exclusive television rights to 20 races per network per year, beginning in 2001. The announcement was made Nov. 11 by Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus and NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol. The NASCAR deal is another step in one of the most unique relationships in television. Turner Sports and NBC bid jointly, and will work in equal partnership on production, promotion and sales efforts. "NBC Sports has defined itself by its association with the world’s best sporting brands and their events," said Ebersol. "We are extremely happy to begin a long-term relationship with NASCAR, and continue our 'extended family' relationship with Turner Sports. NASCAR gives NBC Sports an unequalled schedule of year-round championship event programming, joining with the NBA, the Olympics, Major League Baseball, Notre Dame, the newly acquired Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup, the WNBA and the best in golf with the PGA Tour, the USGA and the PGA of America." "We are very pleased to dramatically expand our relationship with NASCAR and our broadcast partners at NBC," said Lazarus. "This NASCAR deal for TBS Superstation is completely consistent with our strategy of acquiring sports events that have an impact on viewers and with marketers. Turner Sports is committed to being the leader in acquiring, producing and televising the most important sports programming." The TBS Superstation/NBC telecast schedule will run from July through the end of the NASCAR season in November. The Superstation schedule will also begin in July and will feature the bulk of NASCAR's prime time appearances. In February 2002, 2004 and 2006, NBC Sports will provide exclusive coverage of the most famous stock car race in the world, the Daytona 500. In 2001, 2003 and 2005, the NASCAR on NBC schedule will begin with prime time coverage of the Pepsi 400 from the Daytona International Speedway, on the first Sunday in July. TBS Superstation and NBC will share coverage of all of the events leading to the Daytona 500 during even-numbered years, including the Bud Shootout, the Gatorade Twin 125s and the NAPA Auto Parts 300 Busch Grand National race. The Daytona 500 caps a two-week schedule of races that open the NASCAR season every February. "The success of NASCAR under the leadership of the France family is nothing short of remarkable," said Ebersol. "But perhaps there is one element that best illustrates both its long-time fan support and strategy for growth. NASCAR is the only sport in American history that has grown from a regional sport with most of its fans in rural areas to one with devoted fans in virtually every market across the country. Back when a racing fan had to go to the southeastern United States to find the sport, the Frances were probably the only ones who envisioned tracks being built one day in Kansas City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago and soon New York. And yet that’s exactly where NASCAR is today."
Turner Sports, Inc., a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide, and is a leader in televised sports programming. With events airing on three networks-TBS Superstation, TNT and Turner South-Turner Sports' impressive line-up includes the NBA, Atlanta Braves baseball, NASCAR, professional golf, figure skating, college football, track and field, Atlanta Thrashers hockey, Atlanta Hawks basketball, the Winter Goodwill Games (Feb. 17-20 in Lake Placid, NY) and summer Goodwill Games (2001, Brisbane Australia). Turner Sports has acquired a new NASCAR auto racing package for TBS Superstation, which begins in 2001.
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