• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Olympic Price Problems

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Tokyo Olympics costs continue to swell because of the pandemic, and domestic sponsors have contributed a record amount to help pay.

Sponsor contributions total $3.3 billion to date — at least twice as much as for any previous Olympics — but it’s apparently not enough.

“We are in the process of asking for additional sponsorship [payments] from our partners,” Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said last week.

Japanese airline ANA, travel agency JTB, financial services company Nomura, both Narita and Haneda airports, and food makers like Kikkoman and Nissin are among domestic sponsors. 

Postponing the Olympics to 2021 is projected to add $2.8 billion to its budget. The official cost of the event is $12.6 billion, but recent audits suggest the actual cost will be more than twice that. 

Japanese tax payers will foot most of the bill and their anti-Olympics sentiment is growing. 

  • A November poll by TV Asahi found that almost 60% of respondents want the Tokyo Olympics further postponed or canceled
  • The public is wary of international fans who could set back Japan’s relatively successful containment of COVID-19
  • Citizens have publicly protested the displacement of communities for new Olympic venues 

No domestic sponsors have publicly stated that they’re against additional financial contributions to the Games, but some have reportedly been advised against speaking with the media.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hosszu

World Aquatics Reaches $4.6 Million Settlement With Pro Swimmers

Meanwhile, the International Swimming League’s case heads to trial in January.
Megan Romano

The $800 Million Enhanced Games Lawsuit Could Have Legs

Antitrust experts say the case could have some merit.
Cooper Lutkenhaus

Running Prodigy Ditches High School and College for Nike at 16

Cooper Lutkenhaus is a contender at next month’s track world championships.

Tony Hawk Finds His Enduring Fame ‘Baffling’

The skateboarder said it’s “still kind of a shock” to be recognized.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
patrick_mahomes

Super Bowl TV Viewership Sinks 8%

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
woman_holding_hockey_stick
December 23, 2020

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

“It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.