According to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most marketable sports figure in the world today despite his lack of winning. That's right, the sports number one son has won just twice in his last 110 races, but he keeps signing lucrative endorsement deals.
And the reason is simple. If you sponsor Dale Jr. you sell more product.
Just ask Pepsi. Since the soda giant put its AMP energy drink on Dale's car last year, sales are going at 200 mph.
Rovell says, "Last year, sales of AMP Energy drink grew 127.5 percent in top NASCAR markets. And growth almost hit 100 percent in the grocery channel alone.
This year, with AMP still on Earnhardt's car, the brand saw a 2.6 percent share jump in the first quarter, with volume up over 30 percent.
AMP Energy has jumped from sixth to fourth in the category - only behind Monster, Red Bull and Rockstar.
So despite Earnhardt's lackluster win percentage, Pepsi announced the next step this week. Starting this summer, Amp Energy will have an Earnhardt-themed drink called Tradin' Paint."
Personally we prefer Rowdy Busch. Like Dale's daddy, he actually wins.
dougtheeng says:
01:40 PM, 05/ 8/09
"According to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most marketable sports figure in the world today despite his lack of winning."
Really? I've heard Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, David Beckham, etc. mentioned as the top marketable person...but Dale Earnhardt Jr? hahahahahaa.
ajla says:
02:16 PM, 05/ 8/09
Jimmie Johnson is three times the driver that Busch is. Let's see Kyle win races when they count.
hondacura4 says:
02:28 PM, 05/ 8/09
Off topic, but I hate Monte Carlos (at least that body style) and the Nascar editions make it even worse.
subytrojan says:
04:15 PM, 05/ 8/09
I like Junior/Little E because he's a pretty good driver, avid sim-racer, and left-handed like me. He did quite well in a Corvette C5-R in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with The Intimidator (R.I.P.).
In terms of raw talent, though, there are better drivers.
By the way, the chase for the cup is retarded.
stovt001 says:
05:05 PM, 05/ 8/09
Hey suby, I'm left handed too. We should form a club around here...
Popularity doesn't always correlate perfectly with winning.
HA4, I liked the later ones, but large FWD V8 powered coupe just makes no sense. I wish all NASCAR vehicles were based on RWD consumer cars. I actually just wish they were based on real cars, period.
desmolicious says:
06:09 PM, 05/ 8/09
"According to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most marketable sports figure in the world today despite his lack of winning."
Where did he get this info from? Dale's handlers?
Nascar is only big in the US. No-one else knows about this.
Big WORLDWIDE names are those that Doug mentioned in the first post.
subytrojan says:
07:16 PM, 05/ 8/09
But we have Mannywood here! :rolleyes:
tryan says:
03:27 AM, 05/ 9/09
Well, now there's one thing Dale Jr. and Danica Patrick have in common...=)
smudge12 says:
03:30 AM, 05/11/09
Wow...Dale Earnhardt Jr. is leaning on a Chevy. I think I'm gonna go buy one.
bush_man says:
06:19 PM, 05/25/09
the man is living in his dads shadow, dosent even get close, his mind is not on racing, couldnt be, kid cant even find his pit box most of the time, fans leaving by the tons, he isnt even in the same catergory asw kyle, sure klye can be a dic every so often, but he can drive.