Putting together a mud race with a $150,000 purse (spread over 9 classes) for September of 2004. Needless to say, that's a lot better than most events. In fact, if any of you have seen the coverage on ESPN2 of some of the mud racing that takes place at the 4Wheel&Off-Road Jamboree Nationals, those events have a $12,000 purse that covers the top 4 classes (the bottom 3 run for trophies only). So, I'm cranking out an event with more than TWELVE TIMES the prize money involved. Obviously, if the $12,000 event has a home on TV, the $150k race SHOULD have.

I don't think this is an NBC/CBS type thing, but maybe ESPN2, SPEED, TNN, or even FX might be good candidates to approach about covering the race. Any ideas on how to approach them? Should I simply send out a notice describing the event & telling these folks that we're accepting bids for exclusive rights to cover the race? Try working my way through the phone system at each station until I find the right individual(s)? Other ideas?

TEX

You're probably headed in the right direction...


though a huge explosion is guaranteed to get you on the 6:00 news that night ;)

that is one way. the way we went about getting on the outdoor channel is you simply pay $22000 or close to that for a half hour spot. then you sell commercials for that spot to cover your cost and try and make money. i'm sure espn 2 is very similar, but probably a bit more expensive.

Originally posted by aaronlosey
that is one way. the way we went about getting on the outdoor channel is you simply pay $22000 or close to that for a half hour spot. then you sell commercials for that spot to cover your cost and try and make money. i'm sure espn 2 is very similar, but probably a bit more expensive.

Thought about that direction too, though I think it'd be nice if we could get them to buy the rights & have them sell the ads :) Or, maybe some kind of split. We're in a different situation than you, as we don't do any in-house filming, so just getting the spot opens up a whole new set of problems :D

TEX

Tex,

When's the event?

I've got a friend from childhood who is now an associate producer for ESPN... I'm trying to get some contact info to help you with the hookup.

edit: just re-read... sep 04.

Originally posted by Mo


edit: just re-read... sep 04.

Yup, 8th through the 12th to be exact. Location is tentatively set, but isn't firm yet. Appreciate all your help :)

TEX

http://tellico.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadrockcrawl&Number=787915&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=

For that type of money I would hire a publisist. That firm has the contacts you will need. I have friends in the TV business and all the TV people care about are ratings and add spots. A publistist will put together a sales package to present to various production companies. It is extremely expensive to produce a 1/2 hour TV show. I can tell you this ESPN,OLN, the speed channel, couldn't care less about the size of the purse.

Originally posted by Hayraker
http://tellico.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadrockcrawl&Number=787915&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=

Thanks, gonna try that route.

TEX

Originally posted by lowrider
I can tell you this ESPN,OLN, the speed channel, couldn't care less about the size of the purse.

Oh believe me, I know. My point is that if the ratings are high enough to justify putting the $12,000 race on the air that surely the ratings will be every bit as good or better for the $150,000 race. Kind of like, "Hey, you're covering an ARCA race now, how would you like to cover the Daytona 500?" :)

TEX

Naked chicks might help:eek: :D

Infomercial :flipoff2:

You too can have your very own bucket of mud for only $29.95!!! And if you order today, we'll even include a bucket of insta-mud, just add water to the dirt and you've got mud!!!

Can you tell I watch a lot of late night tv? :rolleyes:

Probably not your top choice, but if others fai, try contacting TNN's Trucks! show.... I know they are definately interested in this kind of stuff :)

Originally posted by DRM
Probably not your top choice, but if others fai, try contacting TNN's Trucks! show.... I know they are definately interested in this kind of stuff :)

TNN would have been my first choice at one time. Unfortunately, they are now owned by Clear Channel - who owns the former SFX/Pace Motorsports. And they like to produce their own events right down to the finest detail, rather than cover other people's events. 'Course, same could be true of some of the other stations I mentioned. And I certainly haven't completely ruled TNN out.

TEX