I think the point he is making is probably to do with the motorbike racing community being able to support itself in the coming year - race teams are part funded by industry ‘partners’ supplying them with product and/or cold hard cash. Additionally, the IOM govt needs part of their expense to be off set by their ‘partners’ writing hefty cheques. IOM pays out a lot of money to fund the race in terms of infrastructure, insurance and paying teams and riders etc etc. Obviously they get a return on their investment primarily in tourist money flowing into the economy.

COVID is not our only enemy I guess is the takeaway but to be sure, the TT probably cannot run on a no spectator basis - no spectators, no add to the economy.