Nascar Seeks $100 Million From AT&T; in Lawsuit Over Sponsorship
18/06/2007 |
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Nascar is seeking at least $100 million in a counterclaim to a lawsuit by AT&T; Inc., accusing the largest U.S. phone service provider of interfering with the racing league's exclusive sponsorship agreement with Sprint Nextel Corp.
The counterclaim and response to AT&T;'s suit was filed today in Federal Court in Atlanta, Daytona Beach, Florida-based Nascar said in a statement. The response and counterclaim alleges breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, and conspiracy to aid and abet wrongful interference with Nextel.
AT&T; sued Nascar in March after the sanctioning body refused to allow it to change the logos on the No. 31 car to AT&T; from its Cingular brand, which is being phased out. An Atlanta judge last month allowed AT&T; to change the logos and barred Nascar from interfering with AT&T;'s rights as primary sponsor of the car in the top-level Nextel Cup series.
Nascar spokesman Ramsey Poston didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. AT&T; spokeswoman Monica Mears didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.
Nascar, the biggest U.S. auto-racing body, said San Antonio- based AT&T; breached agreements when it changed the logos on the car, which is owned by Richard Childress Racing. Neither Childress nor Sprint Nextel are parties in the suit. Nascar said all participants in its events agree in writing to be bound by its rulebook.
The suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia is Case No. 1:07-CV-623-MHS.
(Source: Bloomberg.com)
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