Well - they are both niche sports for the wealthy. There's wealthy and then there is wealthy, and there is money and then their is money.
I had to laugh at the IRONMAN World Championships the year shortly after the Wanda Group bought IRONMAN. Many of the Upper Executives of course showed up in Kona a few months after the purchase, to see first hand what the marquee Event was all about.
I doubt the VIP Experience was exactly what they had expected. IM had a VIP area, but having had VIP passes in the past myself, all it got you was, a cramped and crowded room in the King Kam Hotel and a standing room area at the finish line with no shade, and a brown bagged lunch they handed out to you! That's the experience the Wanda Execs had that first October in Kona. These are the sorts of folks who were used to the full on 5-star Executive Private Box VIP Treatment at F1 Races, Premier League Soccer Matches, The World Cup, Olympic Games and the Super Bowl. I noticed the next year in Kona, the VIP experience had changed substantially for the better! :-)
It's a long story, but I've personally had a bit of a peek in on the inside of FI Racing, the money is ridiculous in the sport!
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog