Photo Credit: USA Basketball
Underscoring their star power and preference for privacy, Team USA’s basketball superstars have chosen to stay outside the Olympic Village during the 2024 Olympic games. According to a report by Forbes, this decision comes with a hefty price tag of $15 million.
For Paris, USA Basketball rented out the entirety of a hotel in the city center with roughly 800 rooms, according to the former director, who was involved with the contract negotiations around 2019 and 2020. (The former director declined to share the exact location because of security concerns.) There’s a large traveling party to accommodate, including not only players but also their families, support staff members, executives and NBA personnel.
The decision to stay in luxury accommodations rather than the traditional Olympic Village is not unprecedented for high-profile athletes. The reasons often cited include the desire for more privacy, better security, and superior amenities – the beds in the Olympic village are simply too short, and rooms don’t include air conditions. For Team USA, which boasts some of the biggest names in basketball, these factors are likely paramount.
Staying outside the Olympic Village allows the players to maintain a level of comfort and routine that they are accustomed to during the NBA season. This can be crucial for performance, as the athletes can focus on their preparation without the distractions that come with the bustling environment of the Olympic Village.
The $15 million expenditure covers not only the cost of the accommodations but also additional security measures, transportation, and other logistical needs. This investment reflects the importance placed on ensuring that the athletes are in the best possible environment to compete at the highest level.
The expenses don’t stop with lodging. Transporting players to practices and games and shipping team equipment to Paris need to be sorted. The USOPC contributes in certain areas, like providing access to a high-performance training center it built out in Paris and coach-class airfare for athletes. But upgrades, like flying via charter, fall on USA Basketball.
The NBA provides some security, as does the State Department. “It’s very much undercover,” the former director says. “It’s eyes and ears and coordinating with the locals just to make sure that everything’s fine.” The State Department covers its own expenses, and in some cases, the USOPC will supplement the effort with a local security agency.
While some may view this as an extravagant expense, it is a strategic move aimed at maximizing the team’s chances of success. The comfort and well-being of the players are seen as critical components of their performance on the court.
As the games continue, all eyes will be on Team USA to see if this investment pays off in the form of gold medals. Regardless of the outcome, the decision to stay outside the Olympic Village highlights the unique challenges and considerations faced by elite athletes on the world stage.
