Despite rumors that NBC and FOX might activate their new television broadcast deals with NASCAR a year early—and that ESPN and TNT might exit their deals at the end of the year—NASCAR indicated Saturday that all existing deals will be fulfilled in 2014.
A statement from Steve Herbst, NASCAR vice president of broadcasting and production, clarified the situation:
“Despite speculation over the last month that NASCAR’s new television agreement could be pushed up to the start of the 2014 season, NASCAR has informed our broadcast partners today that FOX, Turner and ESPN will finish the current term as originally planned.
“While we were humbled by the desire of NBC and FOX to start 12 months early, we now consider this matter closed and look forward to finishing our current agreement in 2014 with our great partners at FOX, Turner and ESPN.”
In July, NBC signed a 10-year deal to pick up the final 20 of 36 Sprint Cup points races as well as the final 19 Nationwide Series races. FOX and FOXSPORTS1 will broadcast the first portions of both seasons.
FOX subsequently extended its current TV deal, which was set to end in 2022, through 2024 to match the term of NBC’s broadcast rights contract.
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