Posted by Michael of C+M in TX on April 09, 2008
In Reply to: Re: The Partgate Scandal posted by Bob on April 08, 2008
Just because not everyone at the used car lot doesn't get the shaft, doesn't mean that shafts aren't being got.
I see the difference that UPS has said publicly they're not necessarily not coming back to MWR, but they're looking. I think any sponsor should have to do that, or not begin negotiatons with another team unless their contract has expired, or the team they're contracted to gives their OK or receives compensation. In most other sports, negotiating with a player under contract is "tampering" and the team doing so will need to cough up compensation for it.
General Mills seemed more like thievery to me, RCR doesn't have a fourth driver or a fourth team in place, but they've got a sponsor. In cases like this, I think General Mills should have to put this season's contractually obligated money in escrow for the 43 team, and if the 43 wanted them off the car tomorrow, they still get the money! And if the 43 signed Red Lobster to a funded multi-year deal tomorrow, and brings a #43 Red Lobster Dodge to Phoenix this weekend, they STILL get General Mills' money.
I kinda hope RCR doesn't land UPS and need General Mills to replace AT&T. Yes they are smart businesspeople, but I also think teams are frequently taken advantage of and NASCAR could do more to level out that playing field-- if they weren't out there competing for those same sponsor dollars too!
Teams should be rewarded for bringing new sponsors into the sport. It might help discourage them from feeding off one another. All too often the team doing the legwork to bring in the new sponsor basically gets to watch them go to a Big Team when they're ready to spend Big Money.