Motorsports Authentics Looks To Break Even Next Year

By Michael Smith , Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal The strategic adjustments at Motorsports Authentics (MA), combined with an improved sales environment, will help the company break even next year, ISC said as it issued guidance for '08 on a conference call with investors today. MA is expected to lose $45-50M this year. ISC CFO Susan Schandel said that improved sales of Dale Earnhardt Jr. merchandise, better inventory management and improved profitability of MA's distribution channels is part of the plan to put the company on a road to profitability. MA will operate about 25 trackside trailers at each Sprint Cup weekend in '08, about half the number from this year. Schandel, a 15-year veteran at ISC, also said today that she'll move to NASCAR on February 1 to be Chief Accounting Officer. Schandel will be replaced by ISC VP and Chief Accounting Officer Dan Houser.