The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has looked into the possible sale of a stake in its commercial rights heading into the 2028 Olympics as the organization enters a crucial decade in sports and athlete development.
Team USA has already met with several investors about the plans for a deal, according to Sky News on Tuesday, and consulted several governing bodies on the structure of a contract, with CEO Sarah Hirshland leading the talks.
None of the prospective suitors have been confirmed, but financial advisors at The Raine Group have been tapped to navigate several scenarios with a number of sports-focused investors who could ultimately have a portion of the largest national governing bodies.
Last year, Team USA reported $1.14 billion in consolidated assets and raked in more than $281 million in revenue, with the USOPC also supporting around 4,500 athletes across more than 70 Olympic and Paralympic sports.
“The next decade represents an unprecedented opportunity for Team USA and the US Olympic and Paralympic Movement,” the USOPC said in a statement. “As part of our responsibility to maximize that opportunity for the athletes and NGBs [national governing bodies] we serve, the USOPC is evaluating a range of commercial models to generate greater resources in support of its mission.”
Meanwhile, a deal could be of particular interest to investors eager to take part in the rising value of the commercial rights of not only sports franchises, but governing bodies like FIFA, the NCAA and World Athletics, with brand name elite athletes set to take part in the largest Olympics in history.
Any potential deal for even part of a stake in the USPOC could be worth billions across more than 30 sports, with 36 taking part in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles at a time when many of the biggest American names will likely boost Team USA’s profile on the world stage at a domestic Olympics.
High profile sports like men’s basketball have not finalized their Olympic rosters but Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton and Bam Adebayo are likely selections, while Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera and Jordan Chiles are among the women’s gymnasts who could make the team.
On the men’s and women’s swimming side, Katie Ledecky, Gretchen Walsh, Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, Bobby Finke, Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Murphy and Jack Alexy all have a legitimate shot at being part of a massive media push leading into the games if they secure spots for 2028.
But in track and field, the team make-up is far more clear, as Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sha’Carri Richardson and Tara Davis-Woodhall all have star power and global titles, and will likely be joined by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Rai Benjamin and Gabby Thomas and others who will be in a position to dominate for Team USA on their home stage.
Track and field will also lead off the first week of the Olympics after traditionally beginning in the second half of the Games.
“We’ve been in ongoing conversation with athlete and NGB leaders during this process, and that will continue,” the USPOC statement continued. “Any path forward will preserve the USOPC’s mission, governance, leadership and commitment to Team USA athletes. This is a moment of real momentum for Team USA. With LA28 and Utah-2034 on home soil, and Team USA’s commercial rights returning to the USOPC after the LA28 Games, we’re building the capabilities to better grow and support the Movement for generations ahead.”
