Dick Ebersol on TV Rights, Phelps, Youth Olympics

"That would make America and Europe happy," said Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics, "and work well for Asia as well. Please write that he said it with a smile; don't anybody write that it was another devious plan by Ebersol."

Ebersol regaled the nearly-full ballroom with how he convinced Olympic officials to move the swimming finals and some gymnastics finals in Beijing to the morning so they would appear on primetime in the United States.

Ebersol, interviewed by Sports Illustated's Brian Cazeneuve, said he planted the seed with IOC president Jacques Rogge soon after his election in 2001.

"They ultimately agreed to this," Ebersol said. "Twice as many (swimming) world records were set in Beijing in morning finals than the previous two Olympics with finals all at night."

And TV ratings were also phenomenal in the U.S. Swimmer Michael Phelps, he said, "put together the best eight-day miniseries of any kind, scripted or otherwise."

However, Ebersol allowed that 8 p.m., the beginning of primetime in the United States, is 1 a.m. in London, and he wouldn't dare ask for a time change. The 2010 Vancouver Games will have plenty of live events for European and U.S. viewers, Ebersol added.

London will be the seventh straight Olympics that NBC has televised, and U.S. rights to telecast future Games still must be negotiated. Most observers believe the deal won't be struck until after the 2016 host city is selected in October.

"The world situation right now preaches caution and I very much embrace the IOC's position: let's wait and see," Ebersol said. "I harken back to Atlanta getting the Games in 1990 in Tokyo and waiting almost three years. One of the last downward economic cycles in the world was 1991-92, and the IOC chose to delay those negotiations.

"The delay that comes up now is worthwhile for everybody. Some people think the delay is based on American media companies wanting Chicago to win desperately."

Ebersol said that of course U.S. broadcasters want Chicago to win, but each of the cities bidding for the 2016 Games has value.

He said he didn't think the change in USOC leadership -- and the possible perception of instability that brings -- would have "the major role in making up people's minds."

However, Ebersol said he hoped the USOC and IOC could reach an accommodation over the controversial revenue-sharing contract.

"We're in a unique place, NBC and (parent company) General Electric," he said. "We've been the source of not only a slight majority of the television money, but also a significant part of the sponsorship. On the sponsorship side, we do business all over the world. There should be some form of accommodation, but probably not as large as the federations would like."

The international federations have been extremely vocal in asking for a larger slice of the revenue pie.

Other comments from Ebersol:

On whether Phelpscan recover from the scandal over the photo showing him holding a bong.

"I see this enormous capacity for forgiveness by people," Ebersol said.

He said Phelps' apologies have helped deliver a message about the right way to act. "I think Michael was profoundly and personally embarrassed by this."

On Bode Miller, the U.S. skier who was criticized for excessive partying in Turin while failing to medal. Miller recently said he may not have the desire to compete in another Olympics.

"He's the greatest American male alpine skier of all time -- he's definitely entitled to his unique views on life and on skiing. If he continues to feel that the Olympics are not his cup of tea, I'd suggest he stay home and watch it on NBC. If you don't want to be there, don't come."

On the Youth Olympics: "Good idea, but I think there's a missed opportunity for experimentation. I wish in Singapore, they were trying things like skateboarding, just so the Summer Games could have a look at something like that."

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Written by Karen Rosen

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