Rogge Strikes Back Over Sponsorship Criticism

IOC President Jacques Rogge’s comments on sponsorship by fast-food giant McDonald’s will "reignite debate about how commercial the Games have become," according to Roger Blitz of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Rogge "takes issue with the notion" that the Games have become more commercial in his 11-year tenure. Rogge said, "I would say no, the fundamentals have stayed the same." Under his tenure, IOC broadcasting and global sponsorship revenues have grown from $2.3B to $4.9B. Broadcast revenues for the four years up to and including the London Olympics are up 40% to £3.9B ($6B). Sponsorship revenues from 11 multinationals "have grown less steeply," but have still brought in $957M since '09. Rogge's point is that the IOC has "not gone out of its way to be more commercial" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/8).