IOC, L.A. Mayor Expected To Lock In Host Contract For '28 Games

Barring a major unforeseen development, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti will sign the host-city contract guaranteeing the '28 Games today shortly after 2:00pm ET, cementing the first American Summer Olympics since '96. Shortly before that, the IOC membership will approve the rare backroom deal hatched earlier this summer to give Paris the '24 Games at the same time. An overwhelming, if not unanimous, vote is expected. The contract locks in the L.A. event for 11 years from now and commits the city to guarantee all cost overruns. It also includes several unprecedented concessions from the IOC given in exchange for L.A.’s decision to concede the '24 race and lock in '28 without a new bid process, including a $180M cash advance.

Garcetti and Casey Wasserman were scheduled to start their day with an appearance on NBC’s “Today” before making a final presentation to the body. Nine members of the IOC will be absent, meaning 85 members will be present for the vote.