Brian France

Brian France is the American CEO and Chairman of NASCAR, taking over the position from his father, Bill France, Jr., in 2003.^[1] He is widely known and regarded as one of the most powerful men in sports. He was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential of the Century" in 2006. He has been regularly listed as one of the most influential and powerful sports executive by Forbes Magazine, Business Week, Sports Business Journal, Sporting News and various other publications. He is a regular guest on a variety of news channels including CNN, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, Fox Business, Fox Sports and ESPN.

Brian France's grandfather Bill France, Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948. Since NASCAR is still privately owned, managed and operated within the France family, racing has made the entire France family billionaires. They remain as the single most famous and powerful family in American sports and known to be heavily involved in local and national level politics. NASCAR has the second highest TV ratings and the second highest grossing revenue, after the National Football League (NFL), of any sport in the United States. NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 39 states, as well as Mexico and Canada. NASCAR has presented exhibition races in Japan, Australia and there continues to be constant demand by international countries for NASCAR presence. Internationally, NASCAR races are broadcast in over 150 countries.

France also owns Brand Sense Partners, a Los Angeles-based licensing company and owns the licensing rights of Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow, Jenny McCarthy, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and a variety of other companies. Additionally, France also owns the retail companies Shabby Chic and Dwell Studios. Prior to becoming Chairman and CEO, he had previously managed NASCAR's marketing department and touring divisions and was the creator of the Craftsman Truck Series. France graduated from the University of Central Florida.

Career

• France negotiated a $750 million title sponsorship from Sprint Nextel, a $4.5 billion television contract with FOX, FX, TNT, ESPN and ABC; essentially consolidating TV rights - which had never been done in the sport's history.
• Named by Time Magazine as One of the Century's Most Influential in "TIME 100" in 2006 and one of the Best Sports Executives in 2007.
• France negotiated the Sirius Satellite Radio five-year, $108 million deal to become the official satellite radio partner of NASCAR beginning in 2007
• Named one of the five most powerful sports executives by The Sporting News, The Sports Business Journal and Sports Illustrated in 2005 and multiple years
• Owns all licensing rights and royalties to Britney Spears fragrances.
• Negotiated new television deals with several networks in 1999, 2005 and 2013.
• France developed a diversity program, the Drive for Diversity, and the related marketing department that generates more than $2.2 billion in annual sales.
• Founder of the Craftsman Truck Series in 1995
• Managed several short tracks, including Tucson Raceway Park in Arizona in the earlier years of his career.

References

External links

• Time.com
• Hofmag.com