Sending the USA’s basketball teams to the Paris Olympics costs a staggering $15 million. This expenditure arises from the need to ensure the utmost comfort, security, and performance of both the male and female basketball squads, continuing a tradition that began in 1992 when the NBA players first participated in the Barcelona Olympics.
Unlike most athletes who stay in the Olympic Village, the US basketball teams opt for separate accommodations. This year, they’ve rented an entire hotel in the city center of Paris, which boasts approximately 800 rooms. Historically, the USA Basketball governing body has always arranged luxurious lodgings for its players outside the Olympic ecosystem, following a precedent set during the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021, Athens in 2004, and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
In addition to the main hotel in Paris, a five-star hotel in Lille has been reserved for three group stage games. These lavish accommodations are just one aspect of the costs. The logistics of transporting players to and from practices and games, as well as shipping equipment, further drive up expenses. While the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) provides some support, such as access to a high-performance training center in Paris and coach-class airfare for athletes, USA Basketball covers upgrades like charter flights.
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Security is another significant concern and expense for the USA basketball teams. Since the 2008 Beijing Games, where thousands of fans gathered outside the team’s hotel to catch a glimpse of Kobe Bryant, security has been paramount. The State Department aids in these efforts, working covertly and coordinating with local security to ensure the players’ safety. This collaboration is supplemented by the USOPC and sometimes involves hiring local security agencies.
The current men’s NBA team features some of the highest-earning athletes in the world, including LeBron James of the LA Lakers, Stephen Curry of the Warriors, Kevin Durant, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis of the LA Lakers. These players not only have lucrative playing contracts and prize money winnings but also earn millions through brand endorsements and off-field business ventures.
In comparison, other sports spend significantly less to send their athletes to the Olympics. For instance, USA Fencing spent between $300,000 and $400,000 to send 20 fencers to Paris. This stark difference underscores the premium placed on ensuring the basketball teams have the best possible conditions to perform at their peak.
The extensive arrangements made for Team USA’s basketball squads illustrate the level of investment and commitment required to support these elite athletes on the global stage, aiming to provide them with every possible advantage to secure Olympic glory.
