Mr. Raider to Become Mr. NASCAR
I have an update today at SportsByBrooks, featuring my takes on the latest sports news, including:
In other news... Now that Tim Brown has retired, he is considering an offer from Roush Racing to become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team. This move would help add a little diversity to the lily white sport and put quite a bit of green in Mr. Raider's retirement fund. That seems all well and good but why Tim Brown? I don't ask that question to disparage him. I'm simply curious as to why he was chosen over more high profile minorities in entertainment, business, and sports. Has he shown a particular business acumen? Was Michael Jordan not interested? Denzel too busy? Barkley too controversial? He grew up in Leeds, Alabama - 45 minutes from Talladega. There's no way he hasn't been exposed. I won't even ask about Russell Simmons; he'd just try to boycott them. Maybe the reason is as simple as Tim Brown being the most "NASCAR-friendly" option available. In 20 years as a football player, he's exuded nothing but class. Brown's a family man that has kept his nose clean, and the only scandal he's been involved in is joining Gruden in Tampa Bay. The only thing rednecks can really get riled up about (apart from the obvious) is that Brown "has some idea of how to own a team since he spent so many years watching, listening and battling with Raiders owner Al Davis over team matters." NASCAR, meet The Commitment to Excellence.
"It's a great opportunity to try to just get people (more minorities) involved in NASCAR and that's what I'm going to do," Brown said. "If you were to ask Marcus Allen if he'd ever been to a NASCAR race before he'd probably say no. Now with what Tim Brown Racing is going to be out there, there's a good possibility he will."
Sure, of course Marcus Allen will be out there, but he'll do it to support Tim Brown. If he likes what he sees along the way, then he'll become a fan. But what good will TB's ownership do for attracting more fans? The sad reality is that most people, in what Infineon Raceway president and general manager, Steve Page, calls "non-traditional fan bases" (code word: black people), don't know who Tim Brown is unless he's wearing his Raider jersey, pads, and helmet. He's simply not high profile enough in most black communities for the Daytona to roll around next year and there be an increase in viewership from that particular demographic. "Hey, flip it to Daytona... Tim Brown's driver is out there." "Tim Brown?" "The Raiders receiver." "Ohh, okay." The only way NASCAR is going to get the attention of most minorities that are male and under 30 is if a black driver starts tearing up the circuit, or they convince Jay-Z and Damon Dash to own a car. Imagine how much merchandise will start flying off the shelves then. Roc-a-wear NASCAR jackets, shirts, shoes, and bling. And think about the owner's raceday suite that would be shown on tv, packed full of singers and athletes like Beyonce, Roy Williams, and LeBron... The exposure and the amount of money made would be absolutely ridiculous. But all in good time, I suppose.
I hope Mr. Brown's involvement paves the way for a true diversification of owners, drivers, and crews in the sport. I also hope he gets Smirnoff Ice Triple Black as the sponsor for his driver. It just wouldn't be right for a Raider to be involved in NASCAR and not own the car that rocks The Silver & Black.
Anonymous SI Swimsuit Model boobs
- Brian Jackson's Roethlisberger/St. Pierre impersonations
- Tony Parker accusing the IOC of racial bias
In other news... Now that Tim Brown has retired, he is considering an offer from Roush Racing to become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team. This move would help add a little diversity to the lily white sport and put quite a bit of green in Mr. Raider's retirement fund. That seems all well and good but why Tim Brown? I don't ask that question to disparage him. I'm simply curious as to why he was chosen over more high profile minorities in entertainment, business, and sports. Has he shown a particular business acumen? Was Michael Jordan not interested? Denzel too busy? Barkley too controversial? He grew up in Leeds, Alabama - 45 minutes from Talladega. There's no way he hasn't been exposed. I won't even ask about Russell Simmons; he'd just try to boycott them. Maybe the reason is as simple as Tim Brown being the most "NASCAR-friendly" option available. In 20 years as a football player, he's exuded nothing but class. Brown's a family man that has kept his nose clean, and the only scandal he's been involved in is joining Gruden in Tampa Bay. The only thing rednecks can really get riled up about (apart from the obvious) is that Brown "has some idea of how to own a team since he spent so many years watching, listening and battling with Raiders owner Al Davis over team matters." NASCAR, meet The Commitment to Excellence.
"It's a great opportunity to try to just get people (more minorities) involved in NASCAR and that's what I'm going to do," Brown said. "If you were to ask Marcus Allen if he'd ever been to a NASCAR race before he'd probably say no. Now with what Tim Brown Racing is going to be out there, there's a good possibility he will."
Sure, of course Marcus Allen will be out there, but he'll do it to support Tim Brown. If he likes what he sees along the way, then he'll become a fan. But what good will TB's ownership do for attracting more fans? The sad reality is that most people, in what Infineon Raceway president and general manager, Steve Page, calls "non-traditional fan bases" (code word: black people), don't know who Tim Brown is unless he's wearing his Raider jersey, pads, and helmet. He's simply not high profile enough in most black communities for the Daytona to roll around next year and there be an increase in viewership from that particular demographic. "Hey, flip it to Daytona... Tim Brown's driver is out there." "Tim Brown?" "The Raiders receiver." "Ohh, okay." The only way NASCAR is going to get the attention of most minorities that are male and under 30 is if a black driver starts tearing up the circuit, or they convince Jay-Z and Damon Dash to own a car. Imagine how much merchandise will start flying off the shelves then. Roc-a-wear NASCAR jackets, shirts, shoes, and bling. And think about the owner's raceday suite that would be shown on tv, packed full of singers and athletes like Beyonce, Roy Williams, and LeBron... The exposure and the amount of money made would be absolutely ridiculous. But all in good time, I suppose.
I hope Mr. Brown's involvement paves the way for a true diversification of owners, drivers, and crews in the sport. I also hope he gets Smirnoff Ice Triple Black as the sponsor for his driver. It just wouldn't be right for a Raider to be involved in NASCAR and not own the car that rocks The Silver & Black.
posted by Flash at 7/19/2005 02:43:00 PM
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