USOPC explores Team USA commercial venture ahead of Los Angeles 2028

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is examining a new commercial structure that could bring outside investment into Team USA's commercial rights as it prepares for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The Guardian reported that work on the proposed venture is advancing, while chief executive Sarah Hirshland told Reuters its business model remains under development.

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Minutes of USOPC board meetings show the organization has been working for months on an entity called United States Olympic and Paralympic Ventures, or USOPV. According to the minutes cited in the report, Hirshland described encouraging early discussions with potential investors and strategic partners, who broadly supported the proposed venture's purpose and direction.

The proposal concerns a major source of support for the American Olympic and Paralympic system. The USOPC is a nonprofit organization that depends heavily on sponsorship, licensing and other commercial income rather than government funding. The reported plan would exchange a stake in Team USA's commercial rights for capital, although Hirshland did not provide specific details of the model being considered.

The discussions coincide with preparations to wind down the USOPC's existing commercial partnership with the Los Angeles Games organizers. That arrangement, United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties, ends after the 2028 Olympics. Hirshland told Reuters the organization had been preparing for this transition for more than two years, presenting the new venture as part of planning beyond the home Summer Games.

That planning also extends to the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Hirshland said the aim was to build consistent, sustainable commercial strength that could accommodate the Utah Games and future American host organizations. Her comments set out a longer-term ambition for the structure, rather than an arrangement focused solely on Los Angeles.

In a statement, the USOPC said it was assessing several commercial options to provide more resources for athletes and national governing bodies while maintaining its mission, governance and leadership. It also said athlete and federation representatives had been consulted throughout the process. The organization has described its objectives, but the commercial model itself remains a work in progress.