Major sponsors with significant fan exposure are evaluating their Marketing costs:
" DuPont is expected to extend its 15-year-old deal with the sanctioning body, but no agreement has been reached yet, both parties say. Jeff Gordon’s longtime partner is slated to be the primary sponsor on his No. 24 car for 26 of the 36 points races next season, but that number could drop if DuPont sells off some of those races as part of its efforts to control costs. "
Entire Article from Sports Business Journal:
NASCAR targets 4 open sponsor categories
By MICHAEL SMITH
Staff writer
Published December 22, 2008 : Page 04
NASCAR will go into 2009 with openings in at least four categories — rental car, quick-service restaurant, home improvement store and digital photography — while five other sponsors renewed their official status deals.
The biggest defection comes from Home Depot, which has spent the last 10 years as NASCAR’s official home improvement warehouse. It is one of four official partners that decided not to renew its league deal amid budget constraints.
“It’s just a matter of figuring out how to best spend our marketing dollars in a tough economy,” said Home Depot spokeswoman Jean Niemi.
Enterprise, Domino’s Pizza and Kodak also elected to let their official status deals expire. These agreements, which normally range from three to five years in length, typically go for the low seven figures annually.
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com...rticleId=61004