Could NASCAR be for sale?

MRM

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From http://www.cupscene.com/

Could NASCAR Be For Sale?
October 30

On the heels of another report of a drop in TV ratings, this time a 16% dip over last year for this weeks Atlanta event, comes another indication that there could be a chink in the once impregnable armor of NASCAR.

Just weeks after rumblings that there could be a change in the NASCAR leadership with current CEO Brian France stepping aside for his uncle Jim France, there seems to be speculation that NASCAR itself could be for sale.

Multiple sources are saying that NASCAR’s parent company, International Speedway Corporation, is studying the sale of the world’s largest stock car auto racing sanctioning body due to financial troubles. Two sources say that an investment bank, most likely New York based Lehman Brothers, has completed a study that placed a value on NASCAR and that a prospectus has been prepared.
The financial troubles for ISC include the costs of lawsuit mitigation, combined with the loss of potential tracks in New York and Washington State. Combined with falling ticket sales and TV ratings, according to some, investors are getting weary. This concern could force not only the change in leadership, but also a partial or full sale of the entire sanctioning body.
 
It's funny how in business when a company starts getting greedy financial troubles seem to creep up. Karma?
 
Nothing in Nascar nowadays would surprise me. There have been too many changes, too fast, for most of the old loyal fans and things have gone downhill for Nascar since Brian took control. However, a change of this magnitude would, IMO, be the complete downfall of the sport.
 
I guess the "new breed" of fans that NASCAR decided they wanted so badly aren't as profitable they thought they would be. :blink:

Stevie Wonder could have seen that coming. :rolleyes:

Maybe thumbing their noses at the long-time fans and tracks that brought them all of their early success was a bad idea. You think so? :unsure:
 
Greed is always the root of most successful business' problems.

I wish they'd put me in charge. I could have this thing fixed within a season.
 
If they do opt for a sale they will probably retain 51% of the stock and sell the remainder through an IPO (Initial Public Offering). lehman is probably trying to determine how much the stock would go for in an IPO. I do wonder though if ISC would be part of the sale. Either way it is dangerous as there will always be some family member that at some point may sell their stock to an outsider and thereby the France family would lose control.
 
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