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Team USA stake could be sold to private investors
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is considering selling private investors a stake in the commercial rights to Team USA. It says the aim is to raise more money for athletes and national governing bodies, while keeping its mission and governance intact.
The proposal could involve a new company, United States Olympic and Paralympic Ventures, and comes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Utah 2034 Winter Games. The USOPC’s current commercial partnership with LA28 ends after the 2028 Games, when its commercial rights return to the committee. Chief executive Sarah Hirschland said it is considering all options, including private equity and other forms of investment.
In short
- USOPC is weighing private investment in Team USA’s commercial rights.
- A proposed venture could create more revenue for athletes and governing bodies.
- The committee’s LA28 commercial partnership ends after the 2028 Games.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Selling a stake could bring in substantial capital and commercial expertise, helping the USOPC fund athletes and national governing bodies without relying as heavily on donations or existing partnerships. If the committee retains control of its mission and governance, supporters could argue that investors would share in commercial growth while athletes benefit from better-resourced programmes.
The case against
Private investors may expect returns that put pressure on decisions about sponsorships, spending or the use of Team USA’s identity, even if formal governance remains with the USOPC. Critics could argue that commercial rights tied to a public-facing national team should be managed for athletes and sport over the long term, and that future income or flexibility might be sacrificed for an immediate financial injection.
Explained simply
Team USA is the name used by US athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee oversees the teams and works with national governing bodies, which organise individual sports and support their athletes.
The committee relies on sponsorships and other commercial deals to help fund its work. Its current arrangement with the Los Angeles organisers covers commercial rights through the 2028 Games; those rights are due to return to the committee afterwards. The next US-hosted Olympics are the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028 and the Utah Winter Games in 2034.