I found an interesting article stating that ABC affiliates are rather upset that they are losing sports to ESPN. To set up the situation, ESPN is allowed to choose sports from ABC to air because ESPN took control of ABC sports back in 2006. Recently, it was announced that ESPN will take eight NASCAR races off ABC to run on ESPN, the Rose Bowl starting in 2011, and the British Open (golf tournament) starting this year.

The loss of the NASCAR races will have a significant impact in the southern U.S., as the sport's popularity will pull viewers away from the local ABC affiliate to ESPN. This move will cost the ABC affiliates significant ad revenue as some Lifetime-style movie or infomercials will take the place of the departed races.

Continue reading JockStocks: ESPN Stealing Programming from Local Affiliates?

JockStocks: ESPN Stealing Programming from Local Affiliates? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NASCAR fans know Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. Well, that will soon be a thing of the past, as the hardware giant has decided to back out of its naming-rights sponsorship.

The hardware firm had an 11-year relationship with the racetrack, and it was the first racetrack to have naming rights. Unfortunately for the racetrack, Lowe's decided in the past two weeks to not extend the agreement. The initial agreement between the two was for 10 years and $35 million -- an agreement that lasted through last year. When that initial $35-million contract expired, the company decided to agree to a one-year extension through 2009.

Continue reading JockStocks: Is Lowe's trying to get out of NASCAR?

JockStocks: Is Lowe's trying to get out of NASCAR? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading JockStocks: Jersey sponsors, a necessary evil or the work of the devil?

JockStocks: Jersey sponsors, a necessary evil or the work of the devil? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, why aren't you watching NASCAR? According to USA Today, NASCAR "solicited opinions from drivers and team owners in a 'town hall'-style meeting" earlier this week on why attendance and television ratings have dropped.

I know that I haven't watched NASCAR since Rusty Wallace made his last call and pulled off the track into the broadcasting booth. So, why am I not watching?

It is simple, I am now a tad busier (with a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a newborn) on a daily basis, and I can't (and won't) carve out the time to spend a Sunday afternoon watching a NASCAR race. I'm not alone, as Fox has seen ratings drop 13% compared to a year ago.

Continue reading JockStocks: Why are NASCAR's ratings dropping?

JockStocks: Why are NASCAR's ratings dropping? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading How will the economy impact NASCAR advertisers?

How will the economy impact NASCAR advertisers? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many of today's "investors" place their bets on the stock market's wheel of fortune. They hope that their number will come up. I have news for those stock players: the majority of their ranks are no longer true investors. They are gamblers, plain and simple.

Would those gamblers like a hot tip? Here's one in keeping with today's economic defeatist attitude. I suggest that they immediately dump shares they hold in anything that's associated with motor racing. The reasoning for my saying this is simple: NASCAR has a measurable carbon footprint.

Please understand that I'm playing the devil's advocate here. I myself have nothing against motor sports.

NASCAR has already made one move towards a green future by introducing a new hybrid pace car. However, that's not going to cut it for the peak oil crowd. Additionally, this week the government announced its disdain for corporate America, with the curt dismissal of Detroit executives by a Pelosi-led crowd. We must also consider that advertising money is drying up, and with that, may go some sponsorships. NASCAR is in dangerous waters, and I believe that the sharks are circling.

Continue reading Finally, they'll come for NASCAR

Finally, they'll come for NASCAR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and check out other Battle of the Brands posts.

Imagine that you were only allowed to watch one sport on television for a whole year. Worse yet, imagine that you had to choose between two very popular sports all by yourself. The choice is up to you. Which will it be, NASCAR or the NFL? Will you select the gridiron wars or the need for speed? I shudder just at the thought of having to make such a life-altering choice.

On the one hand, I revel in the bone-crunching, close contact rivalries that play out every week on those hundred yard fields. The talent, the strategy, the sheer brutality of it. On the other hand, horsepower runs in my blood. The tension is palpable when watching those precisely tuned cars fighting for inches of superiority at the hands of fearless drivers. How could I choose between the pavement or the mud? How unfair would that be?

Continue reading Battle of the Brands: NASCAR vs. the NFL

Battle of the Brands: NASCAR vs. the NFL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 03 May 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one of several on business heirs apparent. Let us know in the comments whether you think Roger Penske, Jr., should take up the reigns of Penske, and be sure to check out the other heir apparent posts.

Roger Penske is as much a fixture of the auto racing world as any person could claim to be. At 70 years old, he's still an effective if not brilliant leader, with his hands on the wheel of a carefully built, racing world success. You have to wonder though, if Roger Penske is getting ready to step aside and let some new talent slip into the driver's seat. If a change in leadership fits into his immediate or mid-range plans, who might his replacement be?

With four sons and one daughter, Roger has no shortage of Penske offspring who might be considered for stepping into the racing patriarch's formidable shoes. The question is, are any of them fit for the job? We may have gotten just a glimmer of what's to be expected by the recent stepping down of Roger Penske, Jr., from his position as president of Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE: PAG). Roger, Jr., is reported by Crain's Detroit Business to be retiring from Penske Automotive and purchasing four California auto dealerships from Penske Corp. Is this change to facilitate his being groomed to step into his dad's position? No source I've seen appears to be sure if that is the case.

Continue reading Heir apparent: Team Penske has room on the inside groove

Heir apparent: Team Penske has room on the inside groove originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NASCAR may be a good place to test engines, but the three U.S. car-makers all maintain budgets for the wild races that top $100 million each. A Chrysler executive quoted by Reuters explained the love affair by saying that "there are still 75 (million) to 80 million NASCAR fans out there ... and being in the automobile business, this is exactly the types of folks we want to be talking to."

For companies like General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), who count on middle America and pickup buyers for most of their sales, the venue is probably priceless. It is notable the the more successful Japanese manufacturers tend to keep a lower profile. While GM's U.S. market share is 25% overall in the domestic market, the car company says that number is closer to 40% among NASCAR fans.

It is, in almost every way, an example of what is wrong with Detroit. The companies love marketing to themselves. With their market shares at the lowest level in years, they are probably already down to their core customers bases. Rolling out pickups for the "good old boy" segment of the market doesn't do them much good.

They should be trying to win over people who own a Prius.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

NASCAR: Car advertisers dream originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On the Periodic Table of Elements, the symbols Kr, Ne, He stand for krypton, neon, and helium, three of the so-called noble gases. Noble gases are chemically stable, and can be easily overlooked because they are colorless and odorless. They have boiling and melting points that are close together, meaning that they have a very narrow range of temperatures at which they are liquid. And noble gases have industrial applications in lighting, welding, and lasers.

On the New York Stock Exchange, KR, NE, and HE stand for Kroger, Noble, and Hawaiian Electric Industries. Do these companies exhibit similar characteristics of stability, a tendency to be overlooked, and scarce liquidity? Well, no analogy is perfect, especially one as arbitrary as this. But here's a look at these stocks nonetheless.

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is the largest traditional grocery chain in the U.S. (though Wal-Mart is the largest seller of groceries). Kroger has more than 2,400 supermarkets under several different names, as well as more than 750 convenience stores.

Continue reading Three 'noble' stocks: Kroger (KR), Noble (NE), and Hawaiian Electric (HE)

Three 'noble' stocks: Kroger (KR), Noble (NE), and Hawaiian Electric (HE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. officially drops Budweiser originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Starting next year

Coke outmaneuvers Pepsi to the checkered flag originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dale Jr. ditches Bud for Sony originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nascar has filed a suit against AT&T (NYSE: T) alleging "breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, and conspiracy to aid and abet wrongful interference." The $100 million being claimed is a lot, even for AT&T.

AT&T has been trying to get the branding on its car changed from Cingular, the former name for AT&T Wireless, to its current logo. Nascar's largest sponsor is Nextel, a unit of AT&T Wireless rival Sprint (NYSE: S).

AT&T has already sued Nascar, claiming it has the rights to change the logos on the cars it sponsors. These cars have already switched their signage to the new name.

Nascar probably has the better case. Under its agreement with AT&T, the phone company does not have the right to alter its branding. The racing body also says that it has the right to expel the AT&T cars next season.

Cingular was a good brand. Why change the name in the first place?

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Nascar sues AT&T for $100 million originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nearly three weeks ago, a U.S. District Judge ruled that AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) could replace Cingular logos with new AT&T logos on the #31 car in the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Last week an appeals court judge refused to move the August 18 hearing for an appeal from NASCAR and Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) to an earlier date. According to Scene Daily, Sprint Nextel is arguing that the ruling allowing the new logos has diminished the sponsorship value, which is estimated at $700-750 million.

Sprint Nextel is certainly attempting to protect its investment, but AT&T should not be forced to go to court in order to legalize the company's name change on a car of all things. The Cingular brand is dead, so why should that logo remain on the car? Obviously it is gone because of the first ruling, but if Cingular's sponsorship of that car did not dampen the Nextel logo in the four years it was on there, why would the new AT&T logo change that fact?

We should also remember that when Nextel began sponsorship of the premier NASCAR series it was only Nextel. Since then it too has gone through a merger and become Sprint Nextel. That may have no consequence or bearing on the ruling or any outcome, but AT&T has as much right to be in the sport as Sprint does. After all, they both have essentially bought into the series buy buying and merging with companies already in the sport. No the Nextel Cup will not become the Sprint Cup, but Nextel still "exists." Both companies stocks rose yesterday with Sprint closing at $23.34 and AT&T at $40.90.

NASCAR-AT&T logo argument continues originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of Build-A-Beat Workshop (NYSE: BBW) have been fairly lackluster performers since the company's IPO in 2004, but a new concept store called Ridemakerz could change all that, as Build-A-Bear owns 25% of the new venture.

Build-A-Bear has about 300 locations globally, offering children and their parents an opportunity to customize their own teddy bears. Ridemakerz, whose first location just opened last week, will offer fathers and sons a chance to build their own toy cars. According to the New York Times, "Customers select a chassis type (street or monster); body styles (stock or custom, a Ridemakerz brand hot rod, a Ford Mustang GT, or Dodge Ram pickup, to name a few options); paint schemes; sound effects (for example, sirens or race sounds) and style of locomotion (free wheel or radio control) ... After the 10- to 12-inch cars are assembled, there are ample customizing and accessorizing options: tire treads, grille guards, side pipes, snowboard racks and decals. Mr. Andreini estimates that a fully tricked-out vehicle will run about $75, including $25 for radio control. For the budget-minded, there's a stock tuner car for $12."

If this does catch on, and it seems likely that it will, the growth could be explosive. Build-A-Bear grew from one store to more than 300 in ten years and, with the support of Build-A-Bear already there, Ridemakerz could much more quickly.

With the huge popularity of NASCAR and cars in general, Ridemakerz could be the catalyst for shares of BBW to rapidly gain in value. The shares are trading right around their price from a year ago, indicating that much of the upside of Ridemakerz is not yet priced in.

To learn more about Ridemakerz, see the company's website.

Is Ridemakerz the new Build-a-Bear? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AT&T (NYSE: T) announced yesterday that the company has been given the legal go-ahead to rebrand its NASCAR-sponsored car. The #31 Chevrolet featured the Cingular name and brand on its panels since 2001 when the company began its sponsorship of the Richard Childress Racing team. The phone service was created by BellSouth and AT&T in 2001 and with AT&T's purchase of BellSouth last year, AT&T initiated the rebranding.

Jeff Burton, a Virginia-native and driver of the #31 car, currently sits at #5 in the Nextel Cup championship points and debuted with new decals on his car last weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. The former Cingular Wireless decals were replaced with AT&T's globe image. The orange color of Cingular remains.

Over the weekend, when the judgment was made, AT&T's stock remained roughly the same and closed at $24.95 on Tuesday. Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) rose early in the week, despite the "new" sponsor in the NASCAR series it sponsors, closing at $21.46 on Tuesday. With AT&T holding such a high position in the point standings of the Nextel series, this may be a massive blow to the rights Sprint Nextel seemed to hold on wireless service promotion in the series. The race broadcasts have always featured Cingular text polls though, which seem to overshadow the $700 million, ten-year deal Nextel made with NASCAR in 2003.

AT&T legally rebrands NASCAR Nextel Cup sponsored car originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 May 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As someone who thinks everyone should invest and that most people would enjoy it if they would just get started, I'm always on the lookout for ways to make investing exciting for non-investors. I recently read an article on TheStreet.com that discussed that StockCar Stocks Fund, which invests exclusively in companies that are involved stock car racing and NASCAR.

According to the Google's Fund Summary,"The investment seeks growth of capital and current income. The fund invests in the companies of the Conseco StockCar Stocks index. The index consists of 51 companies that support NASCAR's Winston Cup Racing Series. The companies in the index either sponsor NASCAR Winston Cup racing teams or races, or they earn money from NASCAR Winston Cup events."

Some of its top holdings include ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), and DaimlerChrysler AG (NYSE: DCX). The fund's expense ratio is 1.52%, which is pretty high. Morningstar only gives the fund a rating of 2 stars. While this is clearly a "novelty fund" intended to capitalize on the growing popularity of NASCAR, it just might be a way to get a young NASCAR fan interested in investing, with its minimum investment of just $250.

Invest in NASCAR! A way to get non-investors interested? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 May 2007 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and watch out for more Battle of the Brands posts.

When you have to send a package and it needs to be there yesterday, who do you call? It usually depends on a few key items: speed, price, and peace of mind.

The two delivery services that dominate the United States are United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) and FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX). But which do you think of first?

Let's take a look at each company's marketing practices:

UPS: "What can brown do for you?" The UPS shield is one of the most recognizable icons in shipping, as is the trademarked brown uniform that office secretaries go ga-ga over. Brown is the official sponsor of NASCAR, the NHRA, NTRA, and the Olympics. When looking at the gold shield, a person could think of security and strength. UPS prides itself on those ideas and has become the largest package delivery company in the world.

FedEx: "Relax, it's FedEx" was the well-recognized slogan of the second-largest package delivery company in the U.S. The company's logo has a right-pointing arrow located in the negative space between the E and X. While the arrow becomes quite obvious when pointed out, most people do not notice it. The arrow has been occasionally pointed to as a mild form of subliminal advertising, the arrow suggesting forward movement and thinking (check it out). FedEx is the official sponsor of the NFL, the NBA, the FedEx Cup, FDX Racing, the FedEx Orange Bowl, FedEx Field -- the home field of the Washington Redskins -- and the FedEx Forum in Memphis. With the subliminal arrow and company's name targeted all over the sports world, a person could think of FedEx as a fast company that gets around.

Continue reading UPS vs. FedEx: Battle of the Brands

UPS vs. FedEx: Battle of the Brands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Busch series, the minor-league version of NASCAR's Nextel Cup circuit that usually runs on the same track the day before the NASCAR races, has been titled by Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. (NYSE:BUD) for the past 26 years. In a surprising turn, given the popularity of the sport, the brewer has decided to drop its sponsorship of the series.

The reasons seem to be twofold. First, the series is struggling for participation. Designed as a venue to showcase up-and-coming drivers, the series has been taken over by teams' A-list of Nextel Cup series regulars. In 2006, all but two of the races were won by big-name drivers. Since these teams already gain a great deal of exposure through their Sunday race participation, some sponsors may question whether racing a second day gains them much additional bang for their buck.

The other factor is an abrupt increase in the sponsorship fees demanded by NASCAR. After signing an eight-year deal with ESPN to televise the series, NASCAR has apparently raised the title sponsorship price from $10 million to $40 million.

Among those corporations rumored to be interested in replacing Anheuser-Busch are Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT), Subway, and Samsung.

Anheuser-Busch pulls away from NASCAR series sponsorship originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.