I guess the economy is not exactly off topic as it is at the root of at least some of the major problems facing AOWR....
I have to at least partially agree with soCal. The economy is worse than many perceive it at the moment... I am self employed and have been my entire life (4th generation in a family horticulture business). The problem with this economy is that the last "boom" was not all that much of a boom for many sectors of the economy.... By the end of the boom, margins had shrunk tremendously due to increased production (at least in our industry) so profitability was already an issue even if cash flow was not. Much of the "prosperity" of the last boom was "on paper" and that supposed wealth has entirely evaporated but the debt it supported in both the public and private sectors continues.
Our business is down approaching 40% in the past 3 years and that is average for our industry in our region of the country - sadly enough our region is outperforming most of the rest of the nation in the horticulture industry. There is no realistic sign of recovery in our industry anytime soon. My ties in the business community seem to indicate to me that other sectors of the economy are in no better condition....
To top it off the someone decides to tell us the economy is IMPROVING because the unemployment rate has gone down because 1.5 million people GAVE UP??? The report actually said the economy lost 125,000 jobs last month but the unemployment rate went down??? HUH??? I do not pretend to know the answers nor will I speculate on the cause - but let be real and honest - the economy is terrible and it has a direct effect on the ability of any sport to attract sponsors and operate a profitable AND SUSTAINABLE enterprise....
To answer someones assertion earlier - yes, a 3% marginal tax rate could affect a business' ability to survive in this economy that has now been a mess for 3 years running with no signs of improvement... especially if you have tapped out your personal capital and depend on funds obtained from the banking sector too move forward/survive until the economy finally improves in 3-5 years.....
so yes, this is a MAJOR issue for the IRL (and will be for all other sports requiring sponsorship as time goes on and current contracts expire...)