Forty Under 40

TAMMY LEATHEM

The International Olympic Committee and NBC were still irritated by the USOC’s plans to launch an Olympic network; Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Games ended in embarrassing fashion; and NBC Sports & Olympics Chairman Dick Ebersol and national governing body leaders were mounting a public campaign to change the USOC’s leadership.

So when Streeter, who was gauging Sandusky’s interest in a job, asked the former communications director for Chicago’s Olympic bid what his advice to her would be if he were hired as the USOC chief communications officer, he answered her directly.

“If I was working for you, I’d have you think long and hard if you want to stay in the job,” Sandusky said.

“So you would advise me to resign?” Streeter asked.

“I’m just telling you, honestly, yes,” Sandusky answered.

Sandusky got the job (Streeter later stepped aside), and his emphasis on honesty in both internal and external communications has been critical to the USOC’s effort to restore its image and credibility both at home and abroad.

More than a year after Sandusky was hired, the USOC is seen as a legitimate and invested partner in the Olympic movement. Sandusky shares the credit for that with USOC Chairman Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun. He advised both leaders to become more engaged with the media, encouraged them to create a more transparent organization, and used his six-plus years of experience in the Olympic movement to build stronger ties with the IOC and other national organizing committees.

“He’s played a significant role in us being taken seriously,” Blackmun said.

In addition to working with USOC leaders on communications, Sandusky reorganized the communications department to focus on sponsor programs, community affairs, athlete services and Olympic media operations.