USOPC weighs financing options for Team USA rights

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is evaluating commercial models that could bring outside financing to Team USA’s commercial business, as it prepares for new rights agreements beginning in 2029. No transaction has been finalized, and a possible stake sale is only one option under consideration. The committee has engaged Raine Group to examine financing options, according to reports citing people familiar with the discussions. Those accounts say the USOPC has spoken with potential investors and that the commercial rights could be valued at several billion dollars. No official valuation, investor identities or ownership terms have been announced. Debt financing is also among the possibilities. The USOPC said it is assessing ways to generate more resources for its mission and has held ongoing discussions with athlete and national governing-body leaders. It said consultation would continue and that any path forward would preserve the committee’s mission, governance and commitment to athletes. The statement does not confirm that the committee will sell an ownership stake. The proposed commercial venture, called United States Olympic and Paralympic Ventures, has been under...