Don’t fines amount to violating their First Amendment rights?
Not really – if my research and interpretation are correct. Being a NASCAR driver is a privilege, and to enjoy that privilege, one must follow the rules. One of those rules – the one that is almost always violated – is not to commit actions that are detrimental to stock car racing (Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book.) If NASCAR determines that comments are detrimental to NASCAR, they can, and now will, levy fines. This is done to protect the brand. In order to remain profitable, NASCAR has to get fans to buy into the fact that they are providing a superior product. And if, through comments, their credibility is called into question by drivers (claiming that the races are rigged) the product no longer appears superior. (It gets compared to WWE, which makes it lose credibility as a sport.) If that happens, NASCAR loses fans, which translates into lost money and lost profits. To ensure that this does not happen, NASCAR must be in control of their employees (drivers), just like any other
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