Texaco Sues Racing Team

Sponsor Claims Breach of Contract

New York, November 14, 2000 - Texaco filed suit against the Newman/Haas auto racing team for replacing Michael Andretti as the designated driver of a car co-sponsored by their company. The basis for Texaco's complaint is that Newman/Haas breached the sponsorship agreement on November 8th by replacing Andretti, CART's most successful driver, with the
lesser known Cristiano de Matta.

The lawsuit claims that Newman/Haas agreed in 1997 that Andretti would drive a Formula One car with Texaco decals in Championship Auto Racing Team events between 1998 and 2002. Texaco also claims that the ownership team "refused to pay Andretti his retainer" for the 2001-2002 CART season and, instead released him which allowed him to sign with another CART team during those years, according to Bloomberg News Wire.

Dow Jones reported that Texaco feels it should not have to pay the "remaining" $19.5 million of the five-year contract it signed in '98. The suit seeks "unspecified relief, including plaintiff's costs and attorneys' fees." 

                                                                                                                Nate Allen

Home | Introduction | Current Articles | Archived Articles | Sportslaw History |
Sportslaw Jargon | Mark's Bio | Letters to Editor | Register | Search the Site

Mark's Sportslaw News       © 2000 Mark Conrad.  All Rights Reserved.  For more information and comments on this article and other sports law issues, send e-mail to: mail@sportslawnews.com.