Team USA Board Discusses LA28 Ticket Fees, NCAA Challenges

USOPC leadership addresses ticketing, leadership, and pipeline concerns ahead of upcoming Olympics

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an abstract sports competition or Olympic event, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in red, white, and blue, conveying the complex issues facing the USOPC as it prepares to host the 2028 and 2034 Games.The USOPC board grapples with the complex challenges of hosting the Olympics, from ticketing woes to threats to the American athlete pipeline.Los Angeles Today

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) board held its first meeting of the year, discussing preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and 2034 Utah Winter Games, as well as reflecting on the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Key topics included the controversial 24% service fee on LA28 tickets, the ongoing scrutiny over LA28 chair Casey Wasserman, and the threat that upheaval in college sports poses to the pipeline of American Olympians.

Why it matters

As the U.S. prepares to host the Olympics in both 2028 and 2034, the USOPC board meeting highlighted several critical issues that could impact the success of Team USA. The high ticket prices and service fees for LA28 have drawn public backlash, while Wasserman's leadership role remains a point of contention. Additionally, the board acknowledged the existential threat that changes in college sports pose to the development of future American Olympians, a pipeline that has historically been a key strength for the U.S.

The details

During the board meeting, USOPC chairman Gene Sykes said the committee had a 'very thorough discussion' with LA28 organizers about the ticketing issues, including the 24% service fee that has drawn criticism. Sykes said the fee was 'standard' and part of the ticketing infrastructure that LA28 has accepted. The board also discussed the ongoing scrutiny over LA28 chair Casey Wasserman, whose past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have prompted calls for him to step down. However, the USOPC deferred to the LA28 board on the matter, saying they have shared their concerns directly with that governing body. Additionally, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland warned that the upheaval in college sports, including budget cuts to Olympic sport programs, poses a significant threat to the pipeline of American Olympians.

  • The USOPC board held its first meeting of the year this week.
  • Initial tranches of ticket sales to the LA 2028 Games have gone on sale recently.
  • Emails between LA28 chair Casey Wasserman and Ghislane Maxwell emerged earlier this year as part of the DOJ's Epstein files.
  • Hirshland presented at the college sports roundtable at the White House in March.

The players

Sarah Hirshland

CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Gene Sykes

Chairman of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee board.

Casey Wasserman

Chair of the LA 2028 Olympic organizing committee.

Reynold Hoover

Chief executive of the LA 2028 Olympic organizing committee.

John Slusher

Chief of the LA 2028-USOPC joint venture.

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What they’re saying

“As we know, as football economics forced universities to spend more to stay competitive, Olympic sport programs can often be the first budgets to be cut. When those programs disappear, the pipeline shrinks and the ripple effects reach all the way to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

— Sarah Hirshland, CEO, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee

“They understand there is going to be quite a bit of detail that will need to be provided to the sports federations, the athletes, and everybody else in the Olympic community. They have not given us guidance yet.”

— Gene Sykes, Chairman, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee

What’s next

The USOPC is awaiting further guidance from the International Olympic Committee on the implementation of its new gender policy, which will take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The takeaway

The USOPC board meeting highlighted the complex challenges facing Team USA as it prepares to host the Olympics in both 2028 and 2034. While the committee is pleased with the progress of the LA28 organizing efforts, concerns remain over ticket prices, leadership, and the threat to the pipeline of American Olympians posed by upheaval in college sports.