France: Purses won't drop
By Bob Pockrass
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
NASCAR will attempt to keep race purses in 2007 at the same level as 2006 even though the television contract will be worth approximately $70 million to $100 million less.
The new $4.48 billion contract eventually will increase the annual revenues, but the first year of the eight-year deal is less than the final year of the six-year deal signed in 2001. About 25 percent of the contract goes to the purse.
The 2006 deal is worth approximately $575 million, while the 2007 deal is worth $470 million to $500 million, according to International Speedway Corp. estimates.
"We're working on that to make sure that there is a smooth bridge," France said Jan. 23. "It is not uncommon - the NFL's deal has the same issue that we had. These contracts sometimes are back loaded. Even though the total amount is higher in the new contract, it could be a slight decrease from one year to the next.
"But we'll work on that and to make sure we keep the purses going to the right direction."
NASCAR could require tracks to put more money into the purses, NASCAR could put more money into the purse or NASCAR could increase the plan and contingency money to increase the purse.
