Interesting Article on Attending Sporting Events in 2012

[KevMcNJ]

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/11/156541...ng?ft=1&f=1001

Im gonna guess this guy doesnt lurk here at TF but youd think he did

[roach]

From the article:

...The lower the attendance at the game, the better ratings for sports, the more people to watch the commercials on TV.

Why isn't this happening with auto racing (all forms)?

[jackinbox]

Also from the article

But then, as television networks keep paying more and more for the rights fees to sports, who needs to sell tickets?

Bernie Ecclestone figured this out decades ago.

[Jakester]

To a degree that is correct. But you still have to figure out a way to get someone to pay for and maintain the physical facilities the sport plays in.

To varying degrees that has been local/regional governments for stick/ball sports....and F1.

[KevMcNJ]

Also from the article

Bernie Ecclestone figured this out decades ago.

How many Cup tracks will be around in 20 years if they ended up running in front of 15,000 people?

TV is the big nugget but you need tracks making money too.

Bernie doesnt care about the ticket sales but hes so far been able to plug new tracks in every time a country has to give up its race due to poor attendance

The difference is that NASCAR tracks arent owned by Middle East Oil Kings.