USOPC Explores Sale of Commercial Rights Stake
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has engaged the Raine Group to review possible fundraising options for Team USA.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Olympics
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The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has engaged the Raine Group to explore a range of commercial models, including a possible sale of a stake in its commercial rights. The move comes as the committee seeks greater resources for athletes and national governing bodies.
Why it matters
The USOPC says the review is aimed at maximizing opportunities for athletes and national governing bodies by generating greater resources. The process follows FIFA abandoning a similar commercial rights deal after backlash over secret investor talks.
No financial figures for the proposed stake were disclosed in the announcement. The timeline references are limited to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Utah Winter Games.
The players
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee
The USOPC is the national governing body responsible for Team USA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement.
Raine Group
The Raine Group is a New York-based merchant bank known for advising on sports and media transactions.
FIFA
FIFA is soccer's global governing body, which dropped a similar commercial rights deal after backlash over secret investor talks.
The details
The USOPC has engaged sport's brokers the Raine Group to explore fundraising options and has been in ongoing conversation with athlete and national governing body leaders during the process. Similar stake sales have been made by Spanish and French football leagues, the Six Nations, Prem Rugby, and the world volleyball governing body.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: The USOPC's exploration of a commercial rights stake sale is reported.
2028: Los Angeles hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
2034: Utah stages the Winter Games.
After LA28: Team USA's commercial rights return to the USOPC.
Season Trajectory
The USOPC's review follows a pattern set by the Spanish and French football leagues, the Six Nations, Prem Rugby, and volleyball's world governing body, all of which have sold stakes in their commercial rights. The approach is being tested against FIFA's recent reversal, which shows the backlash risk of secret investor talks.
Any sale of a stake would change how commercial revenue flows to Team USA athletes and national governing bodies after the LA28 Games, when rights return to the USOPC. No sale terms have been announced, so the practical effect on sponsorships and broadcasts is not yet known.
The takeaway
Commercial rights sales are becoming a common funding tool across sports, but FIFA's reversal shows that transparency with stakeholders is critical. The outcome of the USOPC review will show whether athletes and governing bodies see a meaningful benefit.
Further reading
For more on the broader context of Olympic funding, see Olympics.
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