Looks like NASCAR’s new broadcast partners dropped the bag.
The sport signed a new media rights deal for 2025 that will bring in two new broadcast partners, Amazon Video and Warner Bros. Discovery, for races next year, along with current networks FOX and NBC. In addition to 5 races streaming on Amazon Prime, Warner will broadcast 5 on TNT while also streaming them on Max.
And they’ve landed the top broadcasting talent when they make their entry into the sport.
According to The Athletic, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who joined NBC after retiring from driving in 2018 and has been a member of their broadcast booth ever since, is leaving his former home to join NASCAR’s new partners, and will be a part of the coverage on both Amazon and Warner next year.
Junior reportedly informed NBC of his decision last week, and is expected to take a year off from TV before his new networks begin their coverage in 2025.
Of course this is disappointing news for NASCAR fans, as Junior has become one of the favorites of any broadcaster in the sport for his genuine excitement and ability to provide coverage of races that connects with fans better than some of the other talent in the booth.
And it’s also somewhat expected, after Junior said earlier this year on his Dale Jr. Download podcast that he hoped to remain with NBC despite his contract expiring at the end of 2023.
NBC seemingly confirmed that Junior won’t be returning when their half of the schedule picks up this summer, issuing a statement to The Athletic:
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is beloved in the NASCAR world and has made numerous contributions to NBC Sports, from his work as an analyst on our NASCAR coverage to his experiences as a correspondent at major events like the Indianapolis 500, the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. We thank Dale and we wish him the best going forward.”
While it’s disappointing that he won’t be on NBC, the news should at least ease concerns from fans who were worried about new networks entering the sport next year.
They’re clearly going all-in, and they’ve landed top talent to help them do it.
