August 12, 2024

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Good morning! The United States finished the Paris Olympics with 40 gold medals and 126 total. We go through what the event did well, which athletes raised their profile most, and what Los Angeles learned as the city prepares to host in 2028.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]] and Colin Salao [[link removed]]

U.S. Tops Olympics Medal Tally; NBC Wins Big, Too [[link removed]]

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

After more than two weeks of competition, the 2024 Paris Olympics wrapped up Sunday.

The U.S. women’s basketball team came back to beat France and win gold Sunday morning, securing the top spot in the medal tally for the country. The U.S. finished in a tie with China with 40 gold medals, but ended up on top for the fourth consecutive Summer Olympics by winning the silver medal count, 44–27. Team USA finished with 126 medals in total, 35 more than China, which had the second-most total medals. China was the last country to win more medals than the U.S. in a Summer Olympics when it hosted the Games in Beijing in 2008.

Overall, the Games were a recovery from the COVID-19-marred 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, as fans returned in droves to events, brands were able to activate on the ground, social media buzzed due to several breakout stars—and controversial topics—and viewership recovered drastically for NBC.

A Gold for NBCU

Weeks after acquiring [[link removed]] media rights to the NBA, NBCU followed up with a successful showcase of the Paris Games. The network had a strong overall presentation ranging from its slew of broadcasters such as Mike Tirico [[link removed]] and Noah Eagle, to the addition of Gold Zone [[link removed]] on Peacock, and even to the integration of Snoop Dogg [[link removed]].

The final Saturday in Paris—which showcased the gold medal triumphs of the U.S. men’s basketball and women’s soccer teams—delivered 30.7 million viewers, almost three times as much as the comparable Saturday from Tokyo in 2021, according to NBC [[link removed]].

Team USA’s men’s basketball win over host France averaged 19.5 million viewers, the most for a gold medal basketball game since the 1996 Athens Games and over eight million more than the average [[link removed]] 2024 NBA Finals game, while the USWNT’s win over Brazil averaged nine million viewers, the most for a soccer finale since the 2004 Athens Olympics.

While the Sunday viewership numbers are still yet to be revealed, the 16-day viewership of the Games since the opening ceremony on July 26 is at 31.3 million, an 82% increase from Tokyo.

NBCU’s viewership calculations for the Paris Olympics could be seen as inflated, as it combines viewership numbers from the afternoon, when it’s prime time in France, and re-airs during prime time in the U.S., but it’s nonetheless still a win for the network—especially because in 2014, NBCU renewed [[link removed]] its rights deals to the Olympics until 2032.

Cash Haul

While the Olympics feature many millionaire professional athletes, being an Olympian doesn’t always guarantee a massive payday—or even a sustainable income.

Track and field became the first sport this year in which winners would receive a prize from the sport’s governing body, as it pledged [[link removed]] $50,000 to each gold medal winner.

Most countries offer prizes to their athletes for winning medals. They go as high [[link removed]] as $768,000 for Hong Kong, which had two gold medalists in fencing, épéeist Man Wai Vivian Kong and foilist Cheung Ka Long.

For the U.S., the medal rewards were $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. Some teams received performance incentives from their committees, like the U.S. swim team, which distributed a $250,000 prize to 48 swimmers.

Some athletes also received nonmonetary prizes from their countries, whether from the government or private donations. The Philippines’ Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in gymnastics, received [[link removed]] a house and lot, furnished condominium, and free ramen.

OLYMPIC STATUS REPORT Four Up, One Down, One Push

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Snoop Dogg ⬆ The legendary rapper (above) was a key part of NBC’s celebrity-driven broadcast coverage, offering his perspective on everything from artistic swimming [[link removed]] to breaking [[link removed]]. Snoop Dogg was said to be getting paid [[link removed]] $500,000 per day for his duties, and figures to return to future NBC Olympic telecasts.

Breakout stars ⬆ The Olympics offer a spotlight for athletes in sports that don’t normally receive international coverage. Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher gained millions of followers over the last two weeks, while her bronze-medal-winning team received [[link removed]] a $4 million investment from Michele Kang. Other stars whose profiles were boosted during the Games include U.S. gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç [[link removed]], whose iconic pose was used as a celebration by several athletes, including another breakout star, Swedish pole vaulter Armand “ Mondo [[link removed]]” Duplantis.

Noah Lyles ⬆⬇ The American sprinter captured [[link removed]] his first Olympic gold medal by winning the 100-meter race, but he failed [[link removed]] to secure the prestigious double after finishing third in the 200 meters. His loss was also marred with controversy as USA Track & Field announced immediately after the race that he was diagnosed with COVID-19 two days earlier. While no rule prohibited Lyles from racing with the illness (unlike the previous two Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022), the loss coupled with the backlash surrounding his decision now looms over his case for a signature shoe [[link removed]].

USA Basketball 3×3 ⬇ While the 5-on-5 teams walked away with a gold medal, the 3×3 teams were nowhere near as successful. The women, who entered as defending champions and the No. 1–ranked team, settled for bronze, while the men didn’t advance past the first stage. There are strict rules for players to qualify for the 3×3 teams, but the performances in Paris put USA Basketball’s recruitment into question [[link removed]], particularly after it received criticism [[link removed]] from professional 3-on-3 league Big3.

Nike ⬆ On June 27, a month before the Olympics, the company’s stock plummeted 20% in one day, a $28 billion loss in shareholder value and its steepest one-day percentage decrease since it went public in 1980. Weeks later, The Swoosh launched a campaign called “Winning Isn’t for Everyone.” The company was banking [[link removed]] on its biggest athletes elevating the brand by winning in the Olympics—and its biggest names did exactly that. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, A’ja Wilson, Sophia Smith, Sha’Carri Richardson, Scottie Scheffler, Qinwen Zheng, and Letsile Tebogo all leave Paris with gold medals for Nike.

Surfing ⬆ Despite the event taking place almost 10,000 miles away from Paris in Tahiti, the competitors provided a viral image [[link removed]] as well as some thrilling action for viewers, which should help the sport find its footing as it deals with shaky financing [[link removed]] until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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Beyond the Fairway With Collin Morikawa

Behind every great athlete is a dedicated team that turns personal aspirations into collective triumphs. From coaches and mentors to family and friends, this support system plays a crucial role in an athlete’s success. That’s the power of us [[link removed]].

Collin Morikawa began his PGA Tour career with 22 consecutive made-cuts—second only to Tiger Woods’s 25 cut streak. He is also a two-time major champion and two-time Olympian. Behind his success, he has a team committed to building his legacy and perfecting his game.

Learn how JJ, Kip, and Rian are dedicated players on Collin’s Untold Team [[link removed]].

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028 [[link removed]]

ukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

With the Paris Olympics in the books, Los Angeles is officially on the clock for the next Summer Games.

The opening ceremony in L.A. is slated for July 14, 2028—only 1,432 days away from Monday.

The LA28 organizing committee is working on a budget that currently sits at roughly $7 billion. That’s lower than the $10 billion price tag the Paris Olympics will likely end up with, and the $13 billion spent on the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.

Already, L.A. Olympics officials have rolled out some tantalizing plans for competition venues. Following the success [[link removed]] of the U.S. Olympic swimming team trials at the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Rams and Chargers’ SoFi Stadium will host [[link removed]] swimming events at the Olympics in 2028.

The city that last hosted the Olympics in 1984 will lean on its variety of other Games-ready venues, too. The Los Angeles Coliseum will host track and field events, basketball will be played at the Clippers’ new $2 billion Intuit Dome, the Lakers’ Crypto.com Arena will give gymnastics a big spotlight, and the famous Southern California beaches will welcome events like surfing and open-water swimming.

In an effort to avoid building new venues for the Los Angeles Olympics, softball and canoe slalom will be played 1,300 miles away at existing facilities in Oklahoma City. This summer, surfing for the Paris Olympics was conducted in Tahiti.

New Look, Familiar Sports

Six new sports are on the docket [[link removed]] for the Los Angeles Olympics. Perhaps most notable for American fans is the debut of flag football and the return of baseball. Both competitions could feature top professional players.

The NFL has shown support for Olympic flag football and is open [[link removed]] to active players participating. During the Paris Games, the league released an ad [[link removed]] with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in Los Angeles touting the 2028 Olympics. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred last month said [[link removed]] he is also open to having active players from his league compete at the Olympics, which would likely require a break during the regular season.

Squash will also make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles. Softball is returning to the Games. And so are cricket and lacrosse, which haven’t been part of the Olympic program in more than a century.

Breaking (also known as breakdancing), which made its Olympic debut in Paris late last week, won’t be a competition in Los Angeles. Boxing’s status is up in the air as the sport struggles [[link removed]] to agree on a governing body.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Gold, Controversy Mark End of Olympics for U.S.

FOS illustration

The U.S. women’s soccer team and the men and women’s basketball teams took home gold, but one U.S. Olympian is being asked to return her bronze medal. Another Olympian, Jayson Tatum, is unsure whether he wants to return after seeing limited minutes for Team USA.

We also get the latest developments on the scandal involving Mississippi welfare dollars going to projects connected to Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, and we hear from Vatom CEO Eric Pulier on the coming Olympic Esports Games.

🎧 Watch, listen, and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]].

LOUD AND CLEAR Judge Drama

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

“All this talk about the athlete, what about the judges??”

—U.S. gymnast Suni Lee (above, right), on the saga surrounding her teammate Jordan Chiles (above, left) and the bronze medal she won in the floor exercise, but may not get to keep. Lee showed her support for Chiles on Instagram [[link removed]] over the weekend as the situation developed.

Chiles originally finished fifth in the floor exercise, but ended up in third place after the judges upgraded her routine’s level of difficulty following an appeal from Team USA coach Cécile Landi. That bumped Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu off the podium. However, the Romanian team later challenged the decision, claiming that Landi’s appeal came 64 seconds after the judges announced Chiles’s score, four seconds after the one-minute time limit for appeals. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ultimately ruled in favor of the Romanian team, and on Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said Chiles would have to return her bronze medal. Lee called the situation “completely unacceptable.”

Late Sunday afternoon, USA Gymnastics said [[link removed]] it had submitted new video evidence that Landi submitted a request for an inquiry 47 seconds after the score was announced, which would be within the time limit. Team USA Olympians receive $15,000 for bronze medals, but it is unclear whether Chiles will still receive that bonus if she doesn’t retain her medal.

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Conversation Starters Nike released an ad to celebrate the U.S. men’s basketball team’s fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. The commercial features LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Check it out [[link removed]]. An Olympic gold medal adds to a long list [[link removed]] of accomplishments for A’ja Wilson this year, including a signature shoe deal with Nike and the cover of NBA 2K25. Atlanta Dream part-owner Renee Montgomery shared where she thinks the WNBA could add expansion franchises. Take a look [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule [[link removed]]by Jeff Benson [[link removed]]Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game. Sports Betting Influencers Are Unstoppable. Can Gamblers Trust Them? [[link removed]]by Justin Robertson [[link removed]]In the legalization age, recreational advice can quickly tip into predatory behavior. Is Sports Investment ‘Bulletproof’? [[link removed]]by Daniel Roberts [[link removed]]An NFL alum turned UBS exec says the game has changed. Question of the Day

Did you watch as much of the Olympics as you wanted to?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Friday’s result: 47% of respondents said they had canceled their cable TV subscription.

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