Speculation Continues Over Future Of The Goodwill Games

With the "well-publicized cost-cutting" at AOL Time Warner and the "decreased influence" of company Vice Chair Ted Turner, the Goodwill Games "look to be an easy target," according to SI's "Scorecard." While recently named Turner Sports Teams CEO Terry McGuirk said that the Braves, Hawks and Thrashers "won't be subject to the same tight budget restrictions as other divisions" within AOL Time Warner, SI notes "whether that protection extends to the Goodwill Games remains to be seen." Wayne Goss, Chair of the organizing committee for the August 29-September 6 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia, said that the event has "secured 19 corporate sponsors," which will provide a total of $18M. SI reported the sponsorship revenue, plus AOL Time Warner's share, "would assure that the games at least break even for the first time." Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown media analyst Andrea Rice said, "Anything this company can do to save money it will do. If AOL can't turn around the Goodwill Games financially, it may decide to divest from its investment." Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus said, "We believe the Goodwill Games are an important piece of our company's portfolio" (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 4/30 issue).