Comcast Xfinity To Replace Nationwide What does it mean for IndyCar? (Update)

UPDATE So the company that owns NBC may be sponsoring a NASCAR series? Does not bode well for IndyCar on NBC Sports Network. As we stated, wherever IndyCar has gone with their TV deal over the last 18 years, NASCAR follows them in and brings in all their sponsor dollars and overshadows IndyCar. IndyCar is then forced to go elsewhere and then NASCAR is there too. NASCAR would love to see IndyCar dead. However, they love that big check the Hulman George family writes them after every Brickyard 400. Instead of writing a check to IndyCar teams for a Labor Day IndyCar season ending 400-miler, they write a check to IndyCar's #1 enemy. Go figure.

06/16/14 NASCAR is "in advanced talks with Comcast Xfinity about becoming title sponsor of the sport’s secondary series," according to Tripp Mickle of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Nationwide Insurance is in the final year of its title sponsorship, and NASCAR "has been looking for a replacement sponsor" since last fall.

Sources said that the parties "have not reached a contract phase but that Comcast has emerged as a leading candidate for the sponsorship." Mickle notes NASCAR is asking $12-15M "annually in rights fees for the title sponsorship of the series."

Media and activation commitments would “take the total costs of the deal to more than" $25M. NASCAR "hopes to finalize a deal by late this summer and announce a partnership in the third quarter of this year."

NASCAR in addition to Comcast has "met with a number of companies in the auto aftermarket category, including Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone." A deal to create the Xfinity Series would “further entwine Comcast and NASCAR," as the Philadelphia-based media conglomerate last year signed a 10-year, $4.4B deal for NBC and NBCSN to "broadcast half of the Sprint Cup and half of the Nationwide Series seasons." SportsBusiness Journal