USOC Exec Dir Dick Schultz "will step down next year"
due to a proposed overhaul by the committee that would
"transform his job dramatically," according to John Powers
of the BOSTON GLOBE. A report from a public-sector task
force and an independent consulting firm "recommended that
Schultz's duties be changed" to those of a corporate
President or CEO who would serve 3-5 years. Schultz, who
will remain with the USOC until a successor is named
sometime next spring: "I'm not ready to commit that kind of
time." Though Schultz "reportedly had been at odds" with
USOC President Bill Hybl and several board members over his
management style, Hybl "denied earlier reports that Schultz
might be pressured out." Hybl: "The decision was Dick's"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 8/31). Schultz: "This is exactly what I've
pushed for. It's being able to do more things that you
couldn't under the current structure" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/31).
WHERE DO THEY GO FROM HERE? In Denver, Irv Moss writes
that a search committee "will be formed almost immediately"
to locate possible candidates for the vacated position.
Though no specific timetable has been set for finding a
successor, Schultz said that it would be "realistic" to have
a new president in place by next March. Once the position
is filled, Schultz will stay involved with the USOC via OPUS
in its fundraising campaign for the 2002 Salt Lake Games,
but it is "unlikely" he will continue in that role past the
2000 Sydney Games (DENVER POST, 8/31). Schultz's contract
guarantees him an annual salary of around $500,000 through
2002 (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/31). More Schultz: "We've got to
raise about $20 million a month for the next 12 months.
This is our No. 1 priority" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/31).
A FEW OF THE CHANGES: Some of Schultz's day-to-day
duties will be delegated to USOC General Counsel Scott
Blackmun and Assistant Exec Dir Tom Wilkinson, so Schultz
"can begin concentrating on a new marketing blitz" set to
launch in September aimed at "about 200 corporations who
have never done business with the Olympics before." Hybl
also announced the creation of a 15-member marketing
advisory committee that "brings back" former USOC Deputy
Secretary John Krimsky and will be headed by Brunswick Corp.
CEO Peter Larson (USA TODAY, 8/31). In addition to the
creation of the new post, the voluntary position of USOC
President, currently held by Hybl, will be changed to Board
Chair and remain voluntary (WASHINGTON POST, 8/31).
