Elk Grove Village (Ill.) is "taking its next step in using sports to market the community: sponsoring a U.S. Olympic team," following its "unconventional sponsorship of a college football bowl game," according to Susnjara & Placek of the Chicago DAILY HERALD. Mayor Craig Johnson believes that Elk Grove Village "would be the first municipality to financially back an Olympic team that operates" under an NGB. The village board has "agreed to dangle a $100,000 sponsorship before governing bodies of nearly 20 summer U.S. Olympic teams" and "pick a recipient next month." Chicago-based sports marketing agency 4FRONT soon will send RFPs to teams "interested in the $100,000 offer and collect video presentations from each." The sponsorship "would help promote Elk Grove's massive village business park and 'Makers Wanted' tagline." Village officials "expect they will consider serving as one of several backers of a prominent Olympic team or a major sponsor of a lower-profile sport" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 6/23). FORBES' Kristi Dosh noted the video presentations will be "unveiled at an Elk Grove Village board meeting streamed online." On July 15 or 16, they "will screen the videos and then the board will meet and talk to representatives." The announcement will be made on July 23 to "match what would have been the Opening Ceremonies" of the postponed Tokyo Games (FORBES.com, 6/22).
EXPANDING THEIR HORIZONS: The AP's Jay Cohen noted there are "signs that Olympic federations might be casting a wider net when it comes to potential sponsors." USA Triathlon announced a "three-year deal with Connecticut-based Athletic Brewing Company last week, opening a new category for the NGB in non-alcoholic beer." USAT CMO Chuck Menke said that the pandemic and the longer Summer Olympics cycle have "affected how the federation works with its partners and potential sponsors" (AP, 6/22).
