Which Network will get the Olympics?

[wicked]

On our system, that trick only worked on Spice. Or was it Playboy? I forget which.

 

[Mark2010]

I'm old enough to remember the Triple Cast. It was awesome!

Especially because, back in the old days of analog cable, the filters didn't really work very well, so we could watch all three networks even though we didn't pay for them (sure, snowy picture, but that was OK).

And NBC took such a beating on it that they gave it away for free the last few days of the Games.

Eh, that's because they overpriced the package. Doesn't mean the concept can't work: live events on cable during the odd hours, then a prime-time package on the NBC network that night. I remember adjusting my schedule so that I did watch a lot of live stuff in the morning and afternoon (Games were in Barcelona that year) and precious little of the replays.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Was talking to some NBC guys yesterday.

The deal is heavily backloaded, so they think the 2020 Summer Olympics will be in the US.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

NBC had better find a city that wants it, Elliotte, and pay it to want it, too. Chicago's not likely to try again. New York? LA again? U.S. cities are broke and by 2015 they'll be broker.

 

[YankeeFan]

Houston and/or Dallas would want it, and could afford it.

They'd both be miserable, but they've bid before. They just never got very far with the USOC.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

What do you think about Boston, Michael?

 

[YankeeFan]

What do you think about Boston, Michael?

They hated the DNC Convention. I think they'd hate the idea of hosting an Olympics.

They've not made bids in recent past that I can remember.

There's also no suitable stadium.

 

[wicked]

Boston would be the perfect place in a lot of senses ... except for hellacious traffic, and no stadium -- unless you plan on renovating Gillette (haha).

 

[UPChip]

What do you think about Boston, Michael?

What about Toronto? Aren't they circling the wagons for another bid?

Granted, it's not the US, but given its position in 3 1/2 of the four major sports leagues, isn't it good enough?

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Elliotte. Aside from no stadium, wholly inadequate transportation, a lack of a large number of other venues, and the utter and complete inability of people in this community to cooperate on anything at all at any time, we'd be perfect.
After Barcelona, a group of boosters tried to get a bid going. They sank without a trace.

 

[Boomer7]

Elliotte. Aside from no stadium, wholly inadequate transportation, a lack of a large number of other venues, and the utter and complete inability of people in this community to cooperate on anything at all at any time, we'd be perfect.
After Barcelona, a group of boosters tried to get a bid going. They sank without a trace.

My crackpot theory: Any Boston bid would be contingent on the Red Sox. The only way an 80,000-seat stadium in Boston could happen would be if the Sox and the local Olympic organizing committee did what the Braves and ACOG did 15 years ago: Build the massive Olympic stadium, then downsize immediately into a baseball park. Not saying it's in any way a likely scenario, just the only way I see it ever happening. Gillette's a nonstarter as a main Olympic stadium.

If that happened, everything else could fall into place. Boston wouldn't have to build many venues because there are so many college and pro facilities within close proximity. Velodrome and pool would be the biggest things to build, but those can be largely temporary facilities, not white elephants. And the subway system's a hell of a lot more comprehensive than Atlanta's was.

But Michael's right about how difficult it is to make things happen here.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I always felt that from the IOC point of view, Toronto was perfect. It offers the Eastern time zone U.S. broadcasters want, and the IOC doesn't have to put up with us Americans to get it.

 

[YankeeFan]

Montreal was a financial disaster, but Canada has hosted two successful Winter Games since then.

Still, Winter Games requires a lot less infrastructure than a Summer Games.

But, I do agree that Toronto would be perfect for the reasons you gave. Also a very international city.

 

[Football_Bat]

I thought Dallas did a decent job in putting together a bid for 2012 in the early part of last decade. If some heavy hitters like Jerry Jones wanted to pitch in to help bring it in 2020, it could get more traction with the USOC, maybe by default.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Dallas certainly has the facilities, but climate might be a dealbreaker. Still, if they let athletes breathe Beijing air, they'll let 'em deal with Texas in August.

 

[Mark2010]

It wouldn't necessarily HAVE to be in August, although I wonder if Texans would allow them messing with their football in September.

Texas is, after all, American in name only.

Boston or Toronto would be good choices. Might be Western Europe: Rome has already made a bid, Paris and/or Germany (assuming France or Germany doesn't get the 2018 Winter Games) would be possibilities, as well.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Only problem with Dallas is that it doesn't have a suitable Olympic stadium.

I'm serious. There isn't enough room on the floor of Cowboys Stadium for an Olympic-size track.

Now they could do what the did with the GeorgiaDome in 1996 and split it in half and use one side for hoops and one side for gymnastics. But they'll still need a 80 to 90,000 seat stadium for track & the ceremonies.

 

[Huggy]

Toronto is getting the Pan Am Games in 2015, but I doubt there is much interest in another Olympic bid. Toronto had strong bids for 1996 and 2008 - despite the rabid opposition from the Bread Not Circuses crowd - but the city isn't exactly flush with money and doesn't have the infrastructure needed for an Olympics.

 

[DanOregon]

The thing about the 2018 and 2020 games - figure one of them goes to Asia and the other to North America since Europe (London, Sochi) and South America (Rio) will have had their turns.