Leung faces an uphill battle to earn credibility based on immediate reaction to her hiringusa gymnastics
USA Gymnastics' announcement that it is naming Li Li Leung its next President & CEO "drew a range of reactions -- from tentative hope for change to harsh criticism," as she takes the job at a time when the NGB is in the "midst of bankruptcy and turmoil," according to Tim Evans of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Leung, who is leaving her job as NBA VP/Global Partnerships, faces an "uphill slog based on immediate reaction to the hiring." Former gymnasts and attorneys representing abuse survivors said that they have "seen no sign that Leung has spoken out against abuse or advocated for survivors, and appears to be an Olympic insider." They also are "not happy with the selection process that led to Leung, the organization's fourth CEO in the past two years" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/20). Lawyer John Manly, who represents over 100 victims of Larry Nassar, said that Leung’s marketing career "mirrored that of some of her predecessors and was 'exactly the wrong background' to foster a climate to ensure that athletes are being protected." Manly added that Leung "appeared to be 'the right pick' to protect the secrets of Olympic and gymnastics officials" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/20).
LONG ROAD AHEAD: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes the question for Leung is: "Will she last?" Presuming "everything goes as planned, Leung will be the person directing the organization through a jaw-dropping minefield of problems." The "downside of this job is, well, everything." The "upside is simple: There’s nowhere to go but up." If Leung succeeds, she will have "rescued a high-profile national organization from the darkest place any U.S. governing body has ever been." The first order of business is to "resolve the USOC’s effort to decertify" USAG. It is "day one and everyone is saying the right things," as "optimism reigns." The "first reaction to any news like this" should be "muted and cautionary" (USA TODAY, 2/20).
BETTER THAN BEFORE? In Indianapolis, Armour & Evans in a front-page piece write Leung’s resume alone makes her a "more promising choice than the last two CEOs, who were either in over their head (Kerry Perry) or tone deaf (Mary Bono)." Leung’s marketing experience "will be key in luring sponsors back to a brand that has become toxic despite being one of the most popular Olympic sports" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/20). USA Today's Nancy Armour said USAG "may finally have gotten this one right" because Leung "knows marketing" and gymnastics. Armour: "What I liked most was ... I heard her say not that she doesn’t care about partnerships and sponsors, it is that is not her first priority. Her priority is going to be talking with the athletes" (USATODAY.com, 2/19).
