IOC Puts Canadian Broadcast Deal On Hold After Talks With Bell/CBC Break Down

IOC Finance Committee Chair Richard Carrion said that the IOC "is in no rush to sign a Canadian broadcast deal for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 after reaching an impasse with the only known bidder," a collaboration between Bell Media and the CBC, according to Bob Mackin of AROUND THE RINGS. Carrion said, “We got an offer that was unacceptable, and we will not be focusing on Canada in the near term. Right now, our main focus is on two negotiations that are active in Asia and that should occupy the first half of the year.” Carrion’s comments follow a report that quoted industry sources as saying that the Bell/CBC bid "offered the IOC only $70 million in part because of the National Hockey League’s reluctance to release players to compete at Sochi 2014" (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 2/1).