Verizon and Toyota IndyCar money moves to network TV?

Did minuscule ratings on NBCSN drive Verizon and Toyota out of IndyCar to seek exposure on network TV?

The "newly-available marquee sponsorships" for the pregame and halftime shows for Fox' "TNF" broadcasts have been bought by Verizon and Toyota, respectively, according to Anthony Crupi of AD AGE. Verizon's decision to acquire Fox' pregame deal can be seen "as a function of its interest in getting in on the ground floor of a branding opportunity that is unlikely to present itself again any time soon."

Marketers who "manage to nail down a marquee NFL position on Fox tend not to give them up." Verizon's deal "suggests that it was satisfied by the results of its sponsorship of the halftime segments in each of Fox's 64 inaugural FIFA Men's World Cup broadcasts."

Meanwhile, Toyota's decision to commit to the "TNF" halftime show "leaves ESPN with a vacancy" in its own "MNF" package. One agency exec "suggested that the cable network has secured a replacement sponsor." Toyota had "served as the exclusive sponsor of ESPN's NFL halftime show" since '06. Verizon and Toyota also will "look to capitalize" on Fox' "TNF" audience with a "handful of in-game spot buys in each of the 11 scheduled broadcasts" ADAGE.com