Ueberroth Denies IOC/USOC Relationship Factored In '16 Decision

Former USOC Chair Peter Ueberroth said friction between the IOC and the USOC regarding the amount of revenue the American organization receives from the IOC was a “non-factor” in the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the site of the ’16 Games instead of Chicago. It has been speculated that the strained relationship between the IOC and the USOC was a main reason Chicago did not land the event, but Ueberroth said, “There's an argument between three or four people on both sides as to splits of revenue and I can make a very strong argument for the United States' position. But it wasn't five votes that went any way on that issue.” More than half of the ad revenue from the Olympics comes from U.S.-based companies. However, Ueberroth said that should not impact whether the U.S. should have a larger role in the selection of host cities. Ueberroth: "We should have no arrogances. Now, we do pay over half the television revenue … and you can say that's not fair, the real cash-paying sponsors are U.S.-based. The truth is everyone should be all about, 'Let's expand this pie, let's get more companies from all the rest of the world in the game. Let's expand television and there'll be enough to go around for everybody.'” He added, “Some people have focused on, 'Let's make the pie smaller and take a bigger share from the United States.' If that's the goal, maybe that's what will happen. But it's not my responsibility now" ("Sports Take," Versus, 10/13).