The USOC does not plan to put forward a bid for the '20 Olympics. Speaking after a BOD meeting in California yesterday, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said that the organization plans to resolve its revenue-sharing negotiations with the IOC before it will consider putting forward a bid city for a future Olympics. Blackmun said, "If we're able to do that, we'll put the idea of a possible bid under consideration." The USOC currently receives 16% of global sponsorship revenue and 12.75% of U.S. TV rights revenue from the IOC. Other Olympic stakeholders such as international sports federations would like to see those percentages change. The USOC met with the IOC regarding that issue in Lausanne, Switzerland, two weeks ago. It has exchanged written communication with the IOC since then and plans to meet with the organization again in Durban, South Africa, later this week. USOC Chair Larry Probst said, "We are continuing to have productive discussion.” Probst updated the board on those discussions yesterday. Blackmun said the USOC has not met with any cities about bidding and has not had any communication with Chicago's mayoral office about a bid. In addition to discussing the revenue-sharing negotiations, the board yesterday approved a plan to redevelop the organization's website before the end of the year. It will be the first major revamping of the organization's site, teamusa.org, since it was created in '08. The board also received a financial update. Probst: "Revenue is ahead of forecast and spending is below budget on a year to date basis, so we’re in good shape financially.” He added that the organization's major-gift program is ahead of its goals to date, while its direct-mail program is below its goals to date. The board also met with NGB Council President Rich Bender and heard from Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).
THE OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: In Colorado Springs, Brian Gomez reports the USOC yesterday also "approved a 'multimedia experience' inside the Olympic Training Center visitors center." Blackmun said, "We have a conceptual plan in mind. We want to talk a little bit with the city and make sure they’re on the same page. We are probably going to invest a little bit more than just the $16 million that the city is funding, and we’re very much looking forward to sitting down with the city" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 6/29).
