NBC, Clear Channel Create Sports Tour

General Electric Co.’s NBC and Clear Channel Communications Inc.’s Clear Channel Entertainment are creating the Action Sports Tour, a series of skateboarding, bicycle motocross and motorcycle motocross events that will have NASCAR-like point standings.

The tour, scheduled to start next year, will be co-owned and operated by the two companies. NBC will produce the events and televise them on the network and a cable outlet that hasn’t been chosen.

The tour is part of NBC’s strategy of bypassing major sports leagues in favor of alternative events that don’t require large rights fees.

From Bloomberg News