Denny Hamlin holds a unique position in NASCAR—being both a driver and a team owner. And unlike Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson, he doesn’t drive for the team he co-owns. As a result, the recent impasse in NASCAR negotiations has had a direct impact on him. Recently, Hamlin revealed an encounter with the Commissioner of the PGA Tour, Jay Monahan.
The commissioner offered words of consolation to the 23XI Racing co-owner, assuring him that ultimately, things would work out. This interaction highlights the significance of support and collaboration across different sports industries, especially when in the midst of challenging negotiations.
Denny Hamlin shares the PGA Tour Commissioner’s words of advice
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During his conversation with co-host Jared Allen, Hamlin mentioned the interaction with Jay Monahan, the Commissioner of the PGA Tour. He stated, “I actually got to talk to Jay Monahan from the PGA Tour. They increase their purses like 100 and some percent in the offseason. A lot of that is probably because for LIV, and the competition there, and giving the players their fair share.
“I don’t know that he knows who I am or knew who I was, but [he] was like, ‘So how’s the NASCAR negotiations going on?’
“I’m like, ‘Oh, boy! you’re digging right in there.’ I’m like, ‘You know, it’s, it’s eh, right now,'” gesturing that the negotiations with NASCAR are not going great.
Allen then asked Hamlin if he had to name-drop himself to Monahan, to which, he replied, “He knew. He knew that I was on the ownership side. And, you know, who knows how he knows about me. He’s like, ‘Well, where you all at? How’s things going? You know, we realized that the PGA tour, that the players are the most important part of our product.’
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Hamlin quipped on the side that he wondered if it were fine to call a player a product, adding, “So he says, ‘Ya’ll will be fine. You’ll get it figured out because everyone’s gonna realize eventually that the stars are what makes this.”
What are the NASCAR negotiations Hamlin discussed with Jay Monahan?
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Negotiations between NASCAR teams and the organization revolve around a desire for a larger share of the revenue from the television contract. Teams currently receive 25% of the income from NASCAR’s TV deal with FOX and NBC. They seek to secure their sustainability by obtaining a greater portion of TV revenue.
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NASCAR’s tracks are the primary beneficiaries of the TV agreement. They receive 65% of the funds, while NASCAR itself takes 10%. The organization also owns several tracks on its schedule. Fox and NBC pay around $800 million per season to broadcast races from NASCAR’s top three series.
Meanwhile, NASCAR hopes to increase this figure starting in 2025. The teams’ demands come as NASCAR enters the second year of its new Cup Series car, implemented in 2022 to reduce long-term costs for teams. However, the upfront expenses of transitioning to the new car have been significant.
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The outcome of these negotiations will have a lasting impact on the sustainability and financial stability of NASCAR teams. Ensuring a fair distribution of revenue is crucial for maintaining a competitive and thriving racing environment, as well as securing the future of the sport.