Childress could lose AT&T sponsorship
Richard Childress said on Sunday at California Speedway that he could be in danger of losing sponsorship for the No. 31 car if the lawsuit between AT&T and NASCAR/Sprint goes the wrong way.
“If they would go away, we definitely could, they couldn’t afford to stay in (the sport) to run a blank car," Childress said Sunday. "It’s all up to Sprint to make the decision. It’s in Sprint’s hands. NASCAR is being controlled by what Sprint is going to let them do. The sad part of it is, the money AT&T spends with Richard Childress Racing, they will spend three times as much in media, FOX, ESPN, newspapers, magazines, and everything else they do — they’ll spend millions of dollars promoting their products and in that product, they are helping to promote our sport. It’s just sad to see it where it is. If they (AT&T) get beat and end up having to leave, naturally we’re going to lose them. Not only will RCR have a loss — but the sport will lose. Again, it’s in Sprint’s hands.”
The next round in the ongoing AT&T, NASCAR, Sprint court battle will be on September 21st when AT&T's appeal is heard in US district court in Atlanta. If AT&T loses that round, their only recourse would be the US Supreme Court.
In related RCR news, Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks and members of his family attended the Nextel Cup race at California Sunday. While Hicks said it was a friendly invitation by team owner Richard Childress, He wouldn’t comment when asked whether he had any interest in investing in a NASCAR team.
In February, Hicks became co-chairman of the Liverpool Football Club, one of the most biggest soccer franchises in the English Premier League. Hicks’ partner in that purchase was George Gillett, the owner of the NHL’s Montreal Canadians and now half owner of Ray Evernham’s NASCAR team.
Richard Childress said on Sunday at California Speedway that he could be in danger of losing sponsorship for the No. 31 car if the lawsuit between AT&T and NASCAR/Sprint goes the wrong way.
“If they would go away, we definitely could, they couldn’t afford to stay in (the sport) to run a blank car," Childress said Sunday. "It’s all up to Sprint to make the decision. It’s in Sprint’s hands. NASCAR is being controlled by what Sprint is going to let them do. The sad part of it is, the money AT&T spends with Richard Childress Racing, they will spend three times as much in media, FOX, ESPN, newspapers, magazines, and everything else they do — they’ll spend millions of dollars promoting their products and in that product, they are helping to promote our sport. It’s just sad to see it where it is. If they (AT&T) get beat and end up having to leave, naturally we’re going to lose them. Not only will RCR have a loss — but the sport will lose. Again, it’s in Sprint’s hands.”
The next round in the ongoing AT&T, NASCAR, Sprint court battle will be on September 21st when AT&T's appeal is heard in US district court in Atlanta. If AT&T loses that round, their only recourse would be the US Supreme Court.
In related RCR news, Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks and members of his family attended the Nextel Cup race at California Sunday. While Hicks said it was a friendly invitation by team owner Richard Childress, He wouldn’t comment when asked whether he had any interest in investing in a NASCAR team.
In February, Hicks became co-chairman of the Liverpool Football Club, one of the most biggest soccer franchises in the English Premier League. Hicks’ partner in that purchase was George Gillett, the owner of the NHL’s Montreal Canadians and now half owner of Ray Evernham’s NASCAR team.
