Dale Jr & DEI contract Negotiations

It's been noted by Marty Smith over at ESPN.com some perspectives on the contract negotiations, the $55 million DEI has asked Jr for for majority ownership and other interesting tidbits that are worth the read.

Here's some thought on the issue:

I think they are asking for a certain amount from Dale as more of an investment into the company because this is not a simple drivers contract negotiation anymore, it is a bid for ownership of the company, and like any new business partner, he would need to supply funds to participate, much as Fenway has for Roush, or what not.

Both sides knew this was coming up. Teresa would not have hired one of the biggest names in negotiation just for a drivers contract, so obviously Dale and Teresa probably had spoken of what the potential end result was, and Siegel was brought in to work out the details, otherwise, if there was no interest from Teresa's side, they would not have hired Siegel.

I personally wish Dale didn't have to come up with funds, but it is a business acquisition deal, and not unwarranted.

Otherwise, he can take is 'x' millions, and drop it into his own race team and take Budweiser and all the other marketing products that go with it and then, as jlaz4 pointed out, Teresa has herself one heck of a working museum, kind of like the Plymouth Plantation in MA!

But I would be surprised if this doesn't get worked out for both parties desires.

-Bruce