OCTOBER 6, 1997
Bernie's float still afloat
Ecclestone and Salomon Brothers, the US investment bank which is underwriting the deal, are currently going through all the legal issues related to the float. The question of whether the FIA is allowed to centrally-market the TV rights to motorsport has yet to be examined by the European Commission but once this hurdle is cleared the float should be able to go ahead. Obviously it would be advantageous if a deal can be struck with the teams before the float to guarantee a stable future for the sport, and Bernie and the teams are working a new version of the Concorde Agreement which will guarantee that the teams are paid significant sums in exchange for a commitment to take part in all Grands Prix for the term of the contract - which is likely to be 10 years.
The current signatories to the 1997-2001 Concorde Agreement are getting around $10m a year but the new agreement is likely to allow for considerably more money - linked in some way to the earnings of the company. This means that profit margins will be reduced and, as a result, shares will be less attractive than previously was the case.