USOC Indefinitely Delays Launch Of Planned U.S. Olympic Network
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Probst Says USOC Will Gain Full Support
From IOC Before Moving Forward |
The USOC yesterday announced it will delay indefinitely the launch of its planned U.S. Olympic Network, a 24-hour channel it planned to create in partnership with Comcast. USOC Chair Larry Probst made the announcement from Berlin after a meeting with IOC President Jacques Rogge. Probst in a statement said the USOC will "secure the full support and cooperation of the IOC before we move forward with the Olympic Network.” The postponement diffuses a debate between the USOC and IOC over the channel that threatened Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics. The IOC will vote on the host of the '16 Games in early October. Chicago 2016 Chair Pat Ryan praised the USOC's decision in a statement, saying, “We applaud Larry Probst and the USOC for making a strong statement of partnership by stating that the USOC would secure the full support and cooperation of the IOC before moving forward with the Olympic Network. It is important not only for the USOC and IOC relationship, but also for the USOC’s role within the Olympic movement.” When the USOC announced its plans for a network in early July, it faced instant criticism from the IOC, which issued a statement questioning the legality of the network. NBC, the IOC's network partner in the U.S., also questioned the network and the USOC's decision to partner with Comcast rather than working with NBC's existing Olympic channel, Universal Sports. Probst in the statement said, "I took the opportunity (in meeting with Rogge) to stress our commitment to being good partners with the IOC and assured President Rogge that we will secure the full support and cooperation of the IOC before we move forward with the Olympic Network" (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).
VOICING CONCERNS: Rogge prior to Saturday's meeting with Probst said the IOC had "concerns because of the use of the rings, because of the name, and the impact on the value of the rights in the market for the rightsholders." He added the IOC also was concerned that the network would "eat potential sponsorship for the Games organizers." Probst: "There is no question, that we underestimated the intensity of the reaction that we got from multiple constituencies." He said that the USOC "expected a reaction that would have been neutral to positive." But Probst added, "That didn't happen, so it was a miscalculation on our part. The execution of this could have been better." Probst said that he "doesn't know how long it will take the USOC and IOC to resolve their differences over the network." But he "doesn't expect any 'tremendous progress'" before the announcement of the '16 host city (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 8/17).
BLOWIN' WITH THE WIND: In Chicago, Philip Hersh writes Probst by conceding to the IOC has "allowed the Chicago bid to stop being on the defensive," and the USOC has "managed to defuse another dispute" with the IOC. Probst yesterday said, "The USOC wants to do everything it can to help support the Chicago bid. If this meeting with President Rogge and the decision we have made is going to be beneficial to the bid, I think that is terrific." Hersh notes Probst also may have "aided the bid by admitting the USOC mishandled" the announcement of the network, and he "displayed a genuine humility and will for respectful negotiations after the USOC had effectively tried to ram the network down the IOC's throat." Probst: "In hindsight, it probably could have been handled more effectively and more thoughtfully. But as a result of conversations I've had with President Rogge, I think we're on a good track" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/17).
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