The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is considering a potential sale of a stake in Team USA commercial rights to private investors, the organization has confirmed. The move is part of a broader evaluation of commercial models aimed at generating greater resources to support its mission.
New Entity Under Consideration
Central to the review is the possible creation of a new company called United States Olympic and Paralympic Ventures (USOPV). The USOPC, a non-profit organization, said it is assessing a range of options to bolster funding for the Olympic and Paralympic movement in the United States.
The timing is significant: the US is set to host the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028 and the Utah Winter Games in 2034. The USOPC currently holds a commercial partnership with the LA 2028 Organising Committee, a deal that will expire after the Games. Once that agreement ends, Team USA’s commercial rights will return to the USOPC.
Preliminary Talks Yield Encouraging Feedback
According to USOPC board minutes, the organization has received “encouraging feedback from preliminary discussions with potential investment and strategic partners” who have generally validated the vision for USOPV and the strategic rationale behind the initiative. The USOPC has not disclosed specific details about the structure or size of any potential investment.
When asked whether the organization is open to investment from private equity, institutional capital, or sovereign wealth funds, USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirschland told Sportico that the organization’s responsibility is to look at all options, and that it is doing so.
Focus on Athletes and National Governing Bodies
Hirschland emphasized that support for Team USA athletes and national governing bodies (NGBs) remains the central motivation. She described the effort as being about growing the overall revenue pie for the constituencies the USOPC serves.
In its statement, the USOPC said the next decade represents an unprecedented opportunity for Team USA and the US Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The organization said any path forward will preserve its mission, governance, leadership, and commitment to Team USA athletes. It also noted ongoing conversations with athlete and NGB leaders, which will continue.
Context of Commercial Rights Sales
The news comes amid a broader debate over the sale of commercial rights in sports. FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors sparked a major backlash and left the football world bitterly divided. The USOPC’s exploration of outside investment will be watched to see if it can avoid similar controversy.
The USOPC has not set a timeline for a decision. For now, the organization is weighing how to maximize the commercial potential of Team USA in the run-up to two home Olympics, while ensuring that any new model aligns with its non-profit mission and the interests of athletes and NGBs.
