There is no more grueling sport to man and his/her four legged friend then dog sledding yet do to poor marketing this sport isn’t even covered on ESPN 2 or 3. Here’s a sport where woman have broken the top ceiling and dogs that were supposed to be put to sleep lead winning teams yet the back stories of such individuals are hardly mentioned on the national news. It is true unlike other sports the time it takes to watch the big match (the Iditarod) 10 days is a bit too much for even the biggest couch potato yet evening recaps could help keep us watching. The drama that is involved in developing man and furry animal for such races is sure to keep interest high in such races even during rest stops. Many including me truly will see this sport as cruel to dogs but our perspective of these animals is felt through our lap dogs not work dogs. I have realized by seeing these fine dogs and their owners up close and personal that their is a mutual love and respect between person and dog which I never felt before. Here are just a few ways (below) that interest and $$’s could be made on this sport for all the competitors and sponsors.
(1) ALASKA- Have local live television and radio coverage of the sport before, during and after the race from networks stationed in and around Alaska with a focus of the personality and names behind the sport.
(2) NAME CHANGE– Iditarod is hard enough for the average person to say let alone spell and if you want to increase viewers you have to names and symbols that make it easy for the viewer/supporter. How about simply “THE RACE!”
(3) MOVIES- Disney type movies should be made on individuals such as Sarah Douglas who not only changed this sport but could change many others.
(4) NASCAR– Follow NASCAR’s example and have company sponsors on each and every part of the sled, clothes and equipment used in the sport.
(5) OLYMPICS- Fight to have this sport brought back to the Winter Olympics even if in a shorter version or as opening and closing ceremony.