Brian France

Brian France
Nationality	United States
Alma mater	University of Central Florida
Known for	Current CEO and chairman of NASCAR (2003-present)
Spouse	Amy France

Brian France is the 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 has been listed by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential of the Century". Brian France is accredited for taking NASCAR a Southeast based sport into an international success, as well as the most heavily licensed corporation in the world. France's expansion of NASCAR, as well as his record $4.5 billion TV deals, is regarded as a business-model phenomenon. 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.

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 France family billionaires. NASCAR has the second-highest TV ratings, after the National Football League, of any sport in the United States. NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 39 states, and Canada. NASCAR has presented exhibition races in Japan, Mexico and Australia. Internationally, NASCAR races are broadcast in over 150 countries.

France also owns Brand Sense Partners, a Los Angeles-based company whose clients include Britney Spears, Shabby Chic,Halle Berry, Sheryl Crow, Jenny McCarthy and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

Career

• Managed several short tracks, including Tucson Raceway Park in Arizona in the earlier years of his career.
• France is credited with turning the sport into to a global business. He 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.
• France developed a diversity program, the Drive for Diversity, and a marketing department that generates more than $2.2 billion in annual sales.
• 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.
• 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.
• France negotiated the Sirius Satellite Radio five-year, $108 million deal to become the official satellite radio partner of NASCAR beginning in 2007
• Negotiated new television deals with several networks in 1999 and 2005
• Opened and managed NASCAR's Los Angeles and New York City offices.
• Founder of the Craftsman Truck Series in 1995

Personal

• Married to his wife, Amy

References

• http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187467,00.html
• http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/615/30/