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| TMC... |
 Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:01 am |
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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iU8kHbEl5rdzWclFNb9LBof4s3ZgD9BLIGBO0
By STEPHEN WILSON (AP) – 1 day ago
LONDON — Encouraged by the improving economy in the United States, the
International Olympic Committee plans to begin negotiations on U.S.
broadcast rights for the 2014 and 2016 Games next year.
IOC president Jacques Rogge told The Associated Press on Friday that
the bidding could begin soon after the Feb. 12-28 Winter Games in
Vancouver.
"The economic climate seems to be reviving in the United States, so
that's a good omen," Rogge said in a telephone interview. "Definitely,
I think rather shortly after Vancouver we will start discussing. We're
not going to negotiate during the Vancouver Games themselves. But I
think second quarter, second half of next year, would definitely be
possible."
The IOC earlier this year indefinitely postponed the U.S. rights
negotiations due to the global economic downturn.
Richard Carrion, the IOC's finance commission chairman and top
negotiator on U.S. rights, said earlier this month that the American
deal might not be done until 2012 if the economic picture didn't
improve.
"We don't have to be over optimistic," Rogge said. "The crisis is not
over. There are good signs, particularly in the United States, that
the situation is changing. The States have got officially out of
recession thanks to a very good growth in the third quarter, and
that's a very positive thing.
"There's always going to be a direct link between the economic climate
and the rights."
The American TV rights are the most lucrative single source of IOC
marketing revenue. NBC paid $2.2 billion for rights to the Vancouver
Games and 2012 London Olympics.
NBC, ABC-ESPN, Fox and possibly CBS-Time Warner are expected to bid
for combined rights to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the
2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The value of rights is expected to be lower than it would have been
had Chicago won its bid to host the 2016 Games. Chicago was eliminated
in the first round of IOC voting in Copenhagen on Oct. 2, and the
games were awarded to Rio and South America for the first time.
Rogge said he still expects the IOC to secure a good deal for Rio.
"I'm optimistic for that," he said. "It's a very good time zone for
the States. Time-zone wise there is absolutely no problem. I think
Brazil will be an interesting prospect for the U.S. in general."
Rio will be one hour ahead of East Coast time in the U.S. during the
games.
The IOC has already secured $692 million in European rights fees for
2014 and 2016. With deals still to come in Germany, Britain and
France, the IOC hopes to surpass a total for Europe of $1.2 billion.
Rogge also spoke favorably of the 2012 preparations in London, which
marks the 1,000-day countdown until the opening ceremony on Saturday.
"I must say I'm extremely happy by the progress of the works," he
said. "They are respecting their master plan, all the schedules. They
are working within budget and getting good revenue. I hear nothing
alarming from the coordination commission."
The only pending issue Rogge cited was the need to finalize venues for
badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Both sports could be moved to
Wembley Arena in north London instead of being held at a temporary
facility in east London.
"This is on the way to be solved and I expect it to be solved at the
next meeting" of the coordination commission on Nov. 25-26, he said.
"In terms of respecting the schedule, with a slight proviso for the
two sports, London is on schedule and on deadline," Rogge said. "We
have no worries in terms of construction, absolutely no worries in
terms of operational capacities.
"We have a log book with all the different items we have to study.
Almost everywhere it's green. There are very few yellows or oranges
and no reds." |
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