US Biathlon Pushes Back Decision to Join US Ski & Snowboard in Merger of Olympic Sport Organizations
The plan would give biathlon access to USSS's $70 million budget as officials seek more revenue after U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee cuts.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. Biathlon Association board of directors voted to delay a proposed merger with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, seeking a "definitive agreement" that ensures governance autonomy for the smaller organization.
- Officials pursued consolidation to improve financial performance; USSS operates with a $70 million budget and 40,000 members, dwarfing USBA's $4 million budget and 1,407 members.
- Allegations of improper meeting procedures and conflicts of interest surfaced against board chair Bob Hall and board member Dexter Paine; the ethics committee acknowledged "it appears there is merit" to complaints but lacked removal authority.
- Athletes fear USSS would cut funding, citing past reductions for Ski Jumping in 2010 and Nordic Combined in 2014, while a working group will present a new draft agreement by late August.
- Legal questions regarding the 1978 Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act remain unresolved, and USSS CEO Sophie Goldschmidt's previous bid to acquire USA Surfing last year—later dropped—highlights consolidation complexity.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Washington Top News
US Biathlon considers joining US Ski & Snowboard in a rare merger of Olympic sport organizations
Biathlon is poised to move under the control of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, a rare merger of two Olympic sport organizations that officials say is necessary to…
The Washington Post
US Biathlon pushes back decision to join US Ski & Snowboard in merger of Olympic sport organizations
The U.S. Biathlon board of directors voted Wednesday to push back a planned merger with U.S. Ski & Snowboard in order to review the details after facing opposition from its community
Associated Press News
US Biathlon considers joining US Ski & Snowboard in rare merger of Olympic sport organizations
U.S. Biathlon's board is weighing whether to move under the control of U.S. Ski & Snowboard in an effort to boost revenues and performance.
U.S. Biathlon Considers Merging With U.S. Ski and Snowboard
U.S. Biathlon is considering a merger with U.S. Ski and Snowboard to secure future funding and long-term development. | Credit: Team USA The U.S. Biathlon Association has operated as its own independent governing body since its founding in 1980. But now, the sport’s board will vote on Wednesday to decide whether to keep its independence or merge with the much larger U.S. Ski and Snowboard (USSS) to boost funding and generate long-term developmen…
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