Dick’s Sporting Goods will not renew its USOC sponsorship after it expires Monday, citing a “new investment focus” in deciding to end its nearly four-year run as official sporting goods retailer of Team USA. A statement from Dick's did not address the ongoing USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal or the recently published Ropes & Gray report, which placed blame on senior USOC execs for failing to prevent abuse at the hands of now-imprisoned team doctor Larry Nassar. Dick’s is the only USOC sponsor whose deal expires at the end of this year. The remaining 20 sponsor deals expire in ‘20. Only a handful have publicly addressed the scandal at all. Dick’s USOC relationship centered on its “Contenders” program, which gave Olympians and Olympic hopefuls part-time jobs with flexible hours to accommodate training schedules. “All 86 athletes currently in our Contenders program have been given the opportunity to remain Dick’s associates and transition to a traditional part-time associate role starting January 1, 2019,” the statement reads. Sporting goods retail is now an open category, available to be sold immediately by U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP), the joint commercial venture of the USOC and LA ’28 that launches Tuesday. USOPP also can sell rights starting in ‘21 for occupied categories, but it must give the current sponsors a chance to make a first offer. Dick’s officials did not reply to follow-up questions.
