[bigboydan]

looks like horse racing has caved to the coperations too. i guess if the rolling stones can do it, so can the Ky Debry.

Kentucky Derby first: America's greatest race takes a sponsor

February 1, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The Kentucky Derby will have a sponsor for the first time, striking a five-year deal with a fast-food restaurant company that owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.

Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, becomes the first named sponsor of the Derby at Churchill Downs, and the race will be referred to as the Kentucky Derby, presented by Yum! Brands, it was announced Wednesday.


The Yum logo will appear under the famed twin spires for the Derby on May 6, and will also be shown on a sign above the starting gate, on the jackets of the pony riders who escort the horses during the post parade, on television billboards and elsewhere around the track.

It was the latest change at the track, which spent $121 million and more than three years reworking the grandstand, including Millionaire's Row, in what track officials said was an effort to restore the luster of horse racing. The renovations were finished in time for the 2005 Derby.

Yum Brands!, also the parent of Long John Silver's and A&W restaurants, will receive six 30-second television ads on NBC's Derby broadcast and two 30-second commercials on ESPN and ESPN2 during their coverage.

Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, who retired last year, supports the deal, but said in a telephone interview, "It will take some getting used to, obviously. I know there will be the naysayers, `They're watering it down' or whatever they want to say about it. But, personally, I think it's good."

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"As an outstanding corporate citizen in our hometown, Yum! Brands understands the importance of the Derby's history and tradition to the residents of our city and region, as well as to racing fans around the world," Churchill Downs president Tom Meeker said in the statement.

Yum chairman David Novak said, "Through this sponsorship, potential investors will know of Yum! Brands and begin to associate the company with our leading restaurant brands."

The Derby, the first leg of racing's Triple Crown, carries a $2 million purse. The deal will not affect the purse, but a portion of the sponsorship's revenues will go to race purses during the track's spring and fall racing meets.

[Illusion]

You knew it was only a matter of time before they finally did something like this.

[Seattle Slew]

The Triple Crown series is the "Visa Triple Crown" so it was bound to happen at some point. Look for the other two races to do the same, especially considering both Maryland and NY racing in a bad financial trouble.

[JoshW]

Yum! brands? WTF? I guess that is the point, more people will know the name after this. Not sure why it matters given how strong their individual brands are.

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by Seattle Slew

The Triple Crown series is the "Visa Triple Crown" so it was bound to happen at some point. Look for the other two races to do the same, especially considering both Maryland and NY racing in a bad financial trouble.

exelent post to sum it up bud !

your right both of those are in very bad financial shape right now. infact, i'm suprised they weren't the first ones to do this.