DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 24, 2021) – NASCARwas named Sports League of the Year during the 2021 Sports Business Awards, a virtual ceremony hosted by Sports Business Journal to celebrate the best in sports business over the past year.
The award, one of the most prestigious in the sports industry, recognizes NASCAR’s many successes and efforts during a historic and challenging 2020 season. Following the pandemic pause, NASCAR was the first major U.S. sport to return to competition, the first to safely welcome back fans and the first to complete a full season schedule.
In June 2020, NASCAR took a stand for equality and social justice and banned the confederate flag from all properties and events. The sanctioning body reinforced its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and later welcomed Michael Jordan and Pitbull as new team owners.
NASCAR worked with industry stakeholders to build and introduce the most dynamic new race schedule in more than 50 years, including several new venues added to the 2021 slate of events.
NASCAR also filled the live sports void with esports following the onset of COVID-19, collaborating with FOX and iRacing to introduce the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series. The new series generated six of the highest-rated esports programs in television history.
“We’re honored to be named 2021 Sports League of the Year and thank Sports Business Journal for this incredible recognition,” said Steve Phelps, President, NASCAR. “This award is a testament to the collective resolve and creativity of our industry as we worked through some extraordinary circumstances in 2020 and in the process led the way for live sports in our country.”
Joining NASCAR as finalists for the Sports League of the Year award were the NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA Tour, UFC and the WNBA. The win marks NASCAR’s first in the category for the Sports Business Awards.
As part of the ceremony, Phelps was recognized as a finalist for Sports Executive of the Year for his leadership in guiding NASCAR through the 2020 season, and eNASCAR iRacing was among the finalists for Sports Breakthrough of the Year following the successful debut of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series.
2020 Season Key Insights
- Among the first leagues to complete full season: After an eight-week pause due to the pandemic, NASCAR became the only professional sport to complete the same number of events as originally scheduled in 2020.
- First sport back to competition: With the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing at Darlington Raceway on May 17, NASCAR became the first major U.S. sport to return to live competition.
- Banned the confederate flag: NASCAR publicly stated that our collective voice should be used to help promote equality and bridge the racial divide that exists in our country.
- First sport to welcome back fans: Implemented safety protocols and procedures that allowed NASCAR to welcome back a limited number of fans safely at select events, again leading and setting a path for others to follow.
- Welcomed new & diverse ownership: Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin created global news by introducing 23XI Racing, and Justin Marks became one of the sports’ youngest owners, teaming up with Pitbull to form Trackhouse Racing.
- Historic slate of races unveiled for 2021 schedule: The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule includes the introduction of three new racetracks – and new layouts at two iconic venues. Not since 1969 has NASCAR added this many new venues to its premier series schedule.
- eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series: NASCAR was uniquely positioned to pivot quickly and fill the live event void with iRacing and the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series.
- Six of the seven eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series events on FOX and FS1 rank as the highest-rated esports TV programs of all time.
- Sports betting growth: NASCAR brokered deals with Penn National Gaming, BetMGM, WynnBET, and IMG Arena, furthering its position in the global sports betting space. NASCAR also became the first league to join responsible betting campaigns with American Gaming Association and National Center for Responsible Betting.
- Major brands honor NASCAR: NASCAR garnered significant attention during and following the 2020 season from the likes of TikTok (named among the ‘Brands & Campaigns That Inspired Us’); Sports Business Journal (ranked second among ‘leagues most effective at producing live events’; SportTechie (named NASCAR ‘League of the Year); and Morning Consult (ranked in top 10 among fastest growing brands among Gen Z).
