When the rumors started flying this past June that Walmart and NASCAR were exploring the possibility of a branding partnership, I shuddered.
Here was the sport I loved for nearly thirty years seriously considering climbing in bed with one of the most controversial corporations in America.
To summarize, Walmart has a long, well documented, history of workplace abuse, tax fraud and other corporate irregularities. fact the International NGO Human Rights Watch calls Walmart “a case study of what is wrong with American labor law,” for among other things, its aggressive campaign to prevent union formation that creates a climate of fear at its stores, an arsenal of tactics that violate US law and workers’ internationally protected right to freedom of association; and that even adjusted for its size, Walmart stands out for the number of its US labor law violations.
This doesn’t even take into account that a large part of the American population just plain opposes them.
According to some, Walmart has destroyed communities by running the smaller businesses out of towns, forced employees onto welfare rolls and forced American manufacturers to shut down when Walmart started buying goods from China.
The legions of those who oppose Walmart seem to be growing every year; anti-Walmart websites continue to spring up and people are even beginning to make a living by poking fun at the stores and those who frequent them; one example is one of the most popular websites on the net, ‘The People of Walmart’ which has thousands of unflattering pictures of the characters who shop their stores.
And now according to a report, Walmart is in talks to become a sponsor for four-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon.
NASCAR has avoided controversial sponsors before by simply refusing to allow them into the sport; and that‘s a right they have. Now they want to consider allowing one of the most controversial corporations in American history in.
For all the inroads NASCAR has made to try and shed its ‘good old boy’ image; all the attempts to have those who have never watched the sport tune in for something other than the crashes and fistfights, bringing in Walmart would be a step, or two, backwards.
As sites like the People of Walmart demonstrate, the corporation is looked down upon and made fun of as nothing more than a profit driven redneck institution.
It’s a shame that NASCAR has to resort to looking to a company like this for sponsorship. Of course I guess soon we could all just watch the races at ‘Dega with our sunburned beer belly’s exposed yelling “Go Junior.”
Comments
"This doesn’t even take into account that a large part of the American population just plain opposes them."
If a large part of the American population just plain opposes them then why do they have 3800 retail stores in the US and more than $350B in annual sales?
Don't let facts get in the way of a good fabrication.
They are also the largest emplorer in the US
Where did this left wing union supporting wacko come from?
Wal-Mart and Jef Gordon is a marketers mightmare because they are a terrible match. Very rich California pretty boys don't shop at Wal-Mart, Target or any other discount store. The Burton brothers or someone else southern and small town could be a good match.
What the heck, Greg? You couldn't prove anything you said by the way folks flock to our local Wal-Mart. And when it comes to "controversial" sponsors? How bout all the people that have been maimed by drunk drivers after drinking their favorite beer that is splashed all over the hood of NASCAR? Or for that matter killed by a boozer. How bout all the good people that smoked their Winston cigs for years....now paying the price. I'm not sure that Wal-Mart is as rotten as you make it out to be. Our Wal-Mart actually does very well in our community. They support good causes, help people in times of need and I happen to know the manager on a personal basis...they are good people. Hendrick and Wal-Mart is a good match to me. Big money for big results. Wait, phone is ringing...."Yes, honey, I'll stop by Wal-Mart and grab some milk on the way home."
I worked at Wal-Mart for 3 years and my sister currently works there and has worked there for 3 years......and we'll tell you, Wal-mart is one of THE most crooked, ruthless companies in existence.
If they partner with NASCAR or anybody IN NASCAR, I'm gonna lose a LOT of respect for any/all parties involved.
KEEP WAL-MART OUT OF NASCAR!!!
Perhaps, if you can discourage Wal-Mart from sponsorship. You're ready to step up with the money needed to fund a top team? If the answer is no. Then you need to shut up. No one is forced to support any sponsor they don't want to. Nor is anyone forced to shop at Wal-Mart. It's all about choices.
Instead of believing BS from the left-wing blogs and from digruntled employees, maybe you should do some research. I've generally enjoyed reading your articles, even when I disagreed. No more. I'm through with you.
I wonder how it is this controversial, terrible business stays in business. Dont like WalMart fine! Don't shop there.
My brother has been working for Walmart for several years and says it's a great company to work for. Being non-union helps to keep the prices low. I do 99% of my shopping there so I guess that makes me one of those "Walmart people" you like to make fun of. Incidentally, the Walmart employees get a kick out of the pictures on that site too. My brother is always forwarding them to me. You are obviously one of those left wing wackos because it seems everyone else loves Walmart!
I think Walmart would make a great title sponsor for NASCAR to replace Sprint when their contract is up. 99% of NASCAR fans already shop there. You are obviously in the 1% that doesn't, but it doesn't look like you're getting much sympathy or support from your readers.
This was one of the most ridiculous assemblages of words I have ever read. There are very few facts in your article- it’s just an uneducated opinion piece.
WalMart is a perfect demographic fit to the traditional (old school) fan. My only surprise is that it hasn't happened sooner.
A joke of a reporter. Do your research and report facts versus fiction. The didn't grow to be the powerhouse that they are by accident. Present an unbiased article, as reporters are supposed to do. The Wal*Mart customer is the NASCAR fan. It is a perfect fit for the sport.
You say,
" Here was the sport I loved for nearly thirty years seriously considering climbing in bed with one of the most controversial corporations in America.
To summarize, Walmart has a long, well documented, history of workplace abuse, tax fraud and other corporate irregularities. fact the International NGO Human Rights Watch calls Walmart “a case study of what is wrong with American labor law,” for among other things, its aggressive campaign to prevent union formation that creates a climate of fear at its stores, an arsenal of tactics that violate US law and workers’ internationally protected right to freedom of association; and that even adjusted for its size, Walmart stands out for the number of its US labor law violations.
wouldn't that also describe NASCAR too... except NASCAR doesn't think U.S. laws apply to them!
Not actually defending Walmart here and don't believe Jeff Gordon is really a Walmart kinda guy [ie Kahne & Budweiser] , I am glad the 24 won't have them as a primary sponsor on the car... but it's going to happen in some form.
If Walmart's coming to be a sponsor in NASCAR... think Jr would make more sense from a marketing standpoint...
from a fan's point of view if they truly hate Walmart as much as this article states they do... would only add more fuel for the legion of 88 haters already.
Like it or not, it's money that make those cars drive around in circles... and we all it know when it comes to money... principles usually go out the window... and someone's going to take the money no matter how dirty it may be.
Well I have read all these articles and I can tell by the way they word their articles who works in the offices of Wal-Marts and who works on the sells floor of Wal-marts . The hard workers on the sells
floor are telling the truth I know , because my wife has been working for the bastards for 21 year.
There are "NO" more jobs our area , but Wal-marts which has "KILLED" them off . You folks
can kiss their butts if you want , but there's hell to ,pay down the road. I worked for E.I. Dupont
for 28 years and it was sold to Mexico in 2001 which 798 workers lost their jobs. In part created
by Wal-marts raping the world for "CHEAP SLAVE LABOR". Do the math or can you add at all.
Wal-marts doesn't want co-exist with other businesses it simply want's to be the only
"EXISTENCE" there is. For the love of "MONEY" has created this to happen in the first.
Wal-marts is the foster child for what's wrong with AMERICA.
Then why can't we find ANY NASCAR merchandise in our local WalMart stores in So. California. I MEAN NOTHING!
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