US Olympic Committee explores sale of Team USA commercial rights

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 21:10 · Archive

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is exploring selling a stake in Team USA's commercial rights, with investment bank Raine Group advising on the deal.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is exploring the sale of a stake in Team USA's commercial rights ahead of a significant sporting decade for the country. The organisation has engaged investment bank Raine Group to evaluate fundraising options, according to multiple reports.

The move comes as the United States prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. The USOPC said the potential deal aims to maximise the opportunity for Team USA athletes and national governing bodies. According to the Guardian, Raine Group valued the venture in the billions of dollars, though the USOPC declined to confirm specific figures.

The USOPC is reportedly in advanced stages of setting up an entity called United States Olympic and Paralympic Ventures (USOPV) to handle the commercial arrangement. According to minutes of USOPC board meetings reported by the Guardian, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said preliminary discussions with potential investment and strategic partners had received 'encouraging feedback'. The commercial model remains 'very much in progress', Hirshland told Reuters.

Unlike many national Olympic committees, the USOPC relies heavily on sponsorships, licensing and other commercial revenue streams rather than government funding. The organisation is transitioning away from its commercial partnership with LA28, the Los Angeles Olympic organising committee, which concludes after the Games.

The USOPC emphasised that any path forward would preserve its mission, governance, leadership and commitment to athletes. The organisation said it has been in ongoing conversation with athlete and national governing body leaders during the process and would continue those discussions. Team USA typically fields prominent athletes across multiple sports, including track and field, swimming and basketball.

How it is being reported

• USOPC considering plan to sell stake in Team USA as LA Olympics approachUS set to host Summer and Winter Olympics USOPC CEO says business model in early stages The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is in the advanced stages of setting up an entity to sell a stake in the commercial rights for Team USA in return for capital, according to multiple reports. Any deal would mark a significant shift for the USOPC, a non-profit organization that, unlike many national Olympic committees, relies heavily on sponsorships, licensing and other commercial revenue streams rather than government funding. Continue reading...Guardian Sport · 3 Nov, 17:45
• Team USA explores sale of commercial rights ahead of LA2028 OlympicsUS Olympic chiefs have confirmed they are exploring the possible sale of a stake in Team USA’s commercial rights. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has engaged sport’s go-to brokers the Raine Group to explore a range of possible fundraising options, Mark Kleinman reported for Sky News. “The next decade represents an unprecedented opportunity for [...]City AM · 3 Nov, 14:46
• US Olympic movement explores sale of stake in Team USA commercial rightsThe US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has kicked off talks with investors about a potential deal which could involve selling a stake in the commercial rights to Team USA ahead of a crucial sporting decade for the country.Sky News Business · 3 Nov, 13:26

In this story: US Olympic and Paralympic Committee · Raine Group · Los Angeles · Utah · Sarah Hirshland

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log