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NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
USA GYMNASTICS AND NBC SPORTS EXTEND PARTNERSHIP THROUGH 2032
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Aug. 5, 2025) – NBC Sports will bring the competition and stories of USA Gymnastics athletes to the U.S. audience through 2032 in a historic extension of their partnership, USAG and NBC Sports announced today. NBC and Peacock will continue to present coverage of USA Gymnastics' most high-profile artistic gymnastics events through 2032, including the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships and U.S. Classic presented by Saatva. NBC Sports also will produce a special selection show for USA Gymnastics women's team rosters for Artistic World Championship competitions each non-Summer Olympic year, providing a compelling ramp-up to NBC Sports' coverage of the men's and women's FIG Artistic World Championships. Throughout the duration of the extension, the NBC broadcast network will increase the number of its gymnastics shows in the run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. 'We are proud to extend our partnership with NBC Sports and to expand coverage of gymnastics over the next eight years,' USA Gymnastics President & CEO Li Li Leung said. 'No broadcaster better elevates the compelling stories of athletes on their Olympic journeys. We look forward to collaborating on bringing gymnastics to the American fan base in exciting new ways.' The extension also marks the longest contract extension between NBC Sports and a national governing body announced since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where U.S. gymnasts, led by Simone Biles, Suni Lee and Stephen Nedoroscik, took center stage in the coverage and fan engagement. 'Working with our fantastic partners at USA Gymnastics, together we're bringing innovative ideas and programs to our coverage and expanding the ways we can reach gymnastics fans and new audiences alike through access and storytelling,' said Joe Gesue, SVP, Olympic Programming & Planning, NBC Sports. 'Gymnastics has long been a cornerstone of our Olympic coverage driven by the tremendous success of the athletes of Team USA, and we can't wait to showcase their journeys to LA28 and beyond.' NBCUniversal controls the U.S. media rights to the Olympic Games through 2036, which are scheduled for Milan Cortina (2026), Los Angeles (2028), French Alps (2030), Brisbane (2032), Salt Lake City (2034), and the 2036 Summer Olympics. In addition, NBC Sports has recently agreed to media rights extensions with USA Track & Field, USA Swimming, and World Aquatics, further showcasing its commitment to Olympic sports coverage between Olympic Games. The 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will be presented this weekend from 6:30-9 p.m. ET Saturday on CNBC and Peacock and 7-9 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC and Peacock, with additional exclusive streaming coverage on Peacock throughout the competition. For more information on the event, visit About NBC Sports NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. About USA Gymnastics Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, overseeing six disciplines: acrobatic, artistic, gymnastics for all, parkour, rhythmic, and trampoline and tumbling. A member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and International Gymnastics Federation, the organization serves more than 230,000 members, including athletes from the beginner to elite levels, parents, coaches, clubs and club owners, and supports the U.S. teams for the Olympic Games, World Championships, and other top-tier international events. USA Gymnastics is committed to delivering top-quality education, actively growing the sport across all levels and disciplines, and providing safe, positive and empowering experiences for all participants. For more on USA Gymnastics, visit —NBC SPORTS—
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Li Li Leung, who led USA Gymnastics in the wake of the Nassar scandal, to step down in December
Li Li Leung, who deftly guided USA Gymnastics back from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year. The decision, which USA Gymnastics announced Thursday, comes with the organization in a far different place than it was when Leung took over in the spring of 2019. Back then, it was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and the long-term survival of one of the U.S. Olympic movement's marquee programs was hardly assured. USA Gymnastics had filed for bankruptcy just months before Leung's arrival in the hopes of reaching settlements in the dozens of lawsuits it faced from women who blamed it for failing to supervise Nassar, a former national team doctor who sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee was in the process of stripping USA Gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport. Sponsors fled. Most importantly to Leung, a former college gymnast, the trust between the organization and its stakeholders — from athletes to parents to coaches — appeared irrevocably broken. Through a mixture of empathy, savvy and commitment, it's not that way anymore. The lawsuit was settled in late 2021. The USOPC eventually halted the decertification process. High-profile corporate partners reengaged and, in some instances, even expanded their relationship. More vitally, the daunting culture shift USA Gymnastics faced as it tried to remake itself more athlete-focused has found firm footing. Throw in a dazzling performance at the Paris Games last summer by the women's Olympic program and a resurgent one by the men, and Leung knew it was time to make a choice she called 'difficult' and 'bittersweet' but also necessary. 'The organization is in a great place right now,' Leung told The Associated Press. "I feel comfortable about being able to hand it over in this situation, in this position, to my successor who can then build on all the achievements we've had so far.' While Leung stressed she isn't burned out, she added she'd 'like a little bit of a rest." She also wants to ensure whoever follows her will have plenty of runway ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'From a timing perspective, it would be completely unfair of me to say to the (USA Gymnastics board of directors) in 2027: 'Hey I'm out. Now you have to figure out how to get us to LA," she said. 'A significantly stronger position' The search for her replacement will begin immediately. Leung, who said she is firmly committed to finishing out the year, will be part of the hiring process for a job that looks far more desirable now than it did six years ago. 'Li Li leaves USA Gymnastics in a significantly stronger position than when she joined, with a promising trajectory towards LA 28,' USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland told the AP. 'Her leadership faced numerous challenges, yet she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, along with unwavering support for the athletes.' When Leung was hired, she was the fourth person to hold the titles of CEO and president in two years. She never put a timeline on how long she might stay, though she believes her departure showcases just how stable things have become. 'It's a sign of good organizational evolution to have new leadership come into place and have new perspectives and innovative thinking,' she said. Leung leaned heavily into both when she ran into what was essentially a burning building. During her first week on the job alone, a tractor-trailer carrying equipment to a national training camp flipped over and she was told there was only about six weeks' worth of cash flow in the bank. It was daunting to be sure, but Leung said she had 'zero buyer's remorse." 'It's been difficult at times, but there has never been a day that I thought 'We can't do this,'' she added. Accomplishing the 'impossible' Leung might have been one of the few. Yet her experience as a gymnast gave her a perspective that those who preceded her did not. Where others had been almost standoffish with sexual abuse survivors out of fear of legal retribution, Leung led with empathy that wasn't merely performative. The organization established an Athletes Bill of Rights in 2020. It later expanded mental health care services for both athletes and their coaches and created a new funding structure designed to give national team members more equity. Even some of USA Gymnastics' most visible critics took notice. Two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles, who publicly identified herself as a Nassar victim in 2018 and frequently called out the organization's leadership for a series of missteps, told the AP in 2024 that she had noticed a positive shift inside USA Gymnastics because those in power had 'stepped up to the role' and 'put in the work.' It's that shift that Leung is most proud of as she eyes a break. She had no idea how long she would stay when she came on board. Given the organization's tenuous position at the time, she didn't have the luxury. 'For me, it was about putting the big building blocks in place (and) accomplishing the things that were mission critical," she said. "Cultural change is the most difficult type of change to implement, because you have no idea how long it takes.' Leung understands that kind of change has no finish line. Yet when she walks out of her office in Indianapolis for the last time later this year, it will be far closer than when she walked into it. 'A lot of people said it was total career suicide (when I came on),' Leung said. "I thought the exact opposite of that. I think, obviously a lot of people thought it was an impossibility, (but) we've been able to accomplish what people thought was impossible.' ___ AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed to this report. ___ AP Olympics:
05-06-2025
- Sport
Li Li Leung, who led USA Gymnastics in the wake of the Nassar scandal, to step down in December
Li Li Leung, who deftly guided USA Gymnastics back from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year. The decision, which USA Gymnastics announced Thursday, comes with the organization in a far different place than it was when Leung took over in the spring of 2019. Back then, it was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and the long-term survival of one of the U.S. Olympic movement's marquee programs was hardly assured. USA Gymnastics had filed for bankruptcy just months before Leung's arrival in the hopes of reaching settlements in the dozens of lawsuits it faced from women who blamed it for failing to supervise Nassar, a former national team doctor who sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee was in the process of stripping USA Gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport. Sponsors fled. Most importantly to Leung, a former college gymnast, the trust between the organization and its stakeholders — from athletes to parents to coaches — appeared irrevocably broken. Through a mixture of empathy, savvy and commitment, it's not that way anymore. The lawsuit was settled in late 2021. The USOPC eventually halted the decertification process. High-profile corporate partners reengaged and, in some instances, even expanded their relationship. More vitally, the daunting culture shift USA Gymnastics faced as it tried to remake itself more athlete-focused has found firm footing. Throw in a dazzling performance at the Paris Games last summer by the women's Olympic program and a resurgent one by the men, and Leung knew it was time to make a choice she called 'difficult' and 'bittersweet' but also necessary. 'The organization is in a great place right now,' Leung told The Associated Press. "I feel comfortable about being able to hand it over in this situation, in this position, to my successor who can then build on all the achievements we've had so far.' While Leung stressed she isn't burned out, she added she'd 'like a little bit of a rest." She also wants to ensure whoever follows her will have plenty of runway ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'From a timing perspective, it would be completely unfair of me to say to the (USA Gymnastics board of directors) in 2027: 'Hey I'm out. Now you have to figure out how to get us to LA," she said. The search for her replacement will begin immediately. Leung, who said she is firmly committed to finishing out the year, will be part of the hiring process for a job that looks far more desirable now than it did six years ago. 'Li Li leaves USA Gymnastics in a significantly stronger position than when she joined, with a promising trajectory towards LA 28,' USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland told the AP. 'Her leadership faced numerous challenges, yet she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, along with unwavering support for the athletes.' When Leung was hired, she was the fourth person to hold the titles of CEO and president in two years. She never put a timeline on how long she might stay, though she believes her departure showcases just how stable things have become. 'It's a sign of good organizational evolution to have new leadership come into place and have new perspectives and innovative thinking,' she said. Leung leaned heavily into both when she ran into what was essentially a burning building. During her first week on the job alone, a tractor-trailer carrying equipment to a national training camp flipped over and she was told there was only about six weeks' worth of cash flow in the bank. It was daunting to be sure, but Leung said she had 'zero buyer's remorse." 'It's been difficult at times, but there has never been a day that I thought 'We can't do this,'' she added. Leung might have been one of the few. Yet her experience as a gymnast gave her a perspective that those who preceded her did not. Where others had been almost standoffish with sexual abuse survivors out of fear of legal retribution, Leung led with empathy that wasn't merely performative. The organization established an Athletes Bill of Rights in 2020. It later expanded mental health care services for both athletes and their coaches and created a new funding structure designed to give national team members more equity. Even some of USA Gymnastics' most visible critics took notice. Two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles, who publicly identified herself as a Nassar victim in 2018 and frequently called out the organization's leadership for a series of missteps, told the AP in 2024 that she had noticed a positive shift inside USA Gymnastics because those in power had 'stepped up to the role' and 'put in the work.' It's that shift that Leung is most proud of as she eyes a break. She had no idea how long she would stay when she came on board. Given the organization's tenuous position at the time, she didn't have the luxury. 'For me, it was about putting the big building blocks in place (and) accomplishing the things that were mission critical," she said. "Cultural change is the most difficult type of change to implement, because you have no idea how long it takes.' Leung understands that kind of change has no finish line. Yet when she walks out of her office in Indianapolis for the last time later this year, it will be far closer than when she walked into it. 'A lot of people said it was total career suicide (when I came on),' Leung said. "I thought the exact opposite of that. I think, obviously a lot of people thought it was an impossibility, (but) we've been able to accomplish what people thought was impossible.'
San Francisco Chronicle
05-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Li Li Leung, who led USA Gymnastics in the wake of the Nassar scandal, to step down in December
Li Li Leung, who deftly guided USA Gymnastics back from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year. The decision, which USA Gymnastics announced Thursday, comes with the organization in a far different place than it was when Leung took over in the spring of 2019. Back then, it was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and the long-term survival of one of the U.S. Olympic movement's marquee programs was hardly assured. USA Gymnastics had filed for bankruptcy just months before Leung's arrival in the hopes of reaching settlements in the dozens of lawsuits it faced from women who blamed it for failing to supervise Nassar, a former national team doctor who sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee was in the process of stripping USA Gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport. Sponsors fled. Most importantly to Leung, a former college gymnast, the trust between the organization and its stakeholders — from athletes to parents to coaches — appeared irrevocably broken. Through a mixture of empathy, savvy and commitment, it's not that way anymore. The lawsuit was settled in late 2021. The USOPC eventually halted the decertification process. High-profile corporate partners reengaged and, in some instances, even expanded their relationship. Throw in a dazzling performance at the Paris Games last summer by the women's Olympic program and a resurgent one by the men, and Leung knew it was time to make a choice she called 'difficult' and 'bittersweet' but also necessary. 'The organization is in a great place right now,' Leung told The Associated Press. "I feel comfortable about being able to hand it over in this situation, in this position, to my successor who can then build on all the achievements we've had so far.' While Leung stressed she isn't burned out, she added she'd 'like a little bit of a rest." She also wants to ensure whoever follows her will have plenty of runway ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'From a timing perspective, it would be completely unfair of me to say to the (USA Gymnastics board of directors) in 2027: 'Hey I'm out. Now you have to figure out how to get us to LA," she said. 'A significantly stronger position' The search for her replacement will begin immediately. Leung, who said she is firmly committed to finishing out the year, will be part of the hiring process for a job that looks far more desirable now than it did six years ago. 'Li Li leaves USA Gymnastics in a significantly stronger position than when she joined, with a promising trajectory towards LA 28,' USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland told the AP. 'Her leadership faced numerous challenges, yet she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, along with unwavering support for the athletes.' When Leung was hired, she was the fourth person to hold the titles of CEO and president in two years. She never put a timeline on how long she might stay, though she believes her departure showcases just how stable things have become. 'It's a sign of good organizational evolution to have new leadership come into place and have new perspectives and innovative thinking,' she said. Leung leaned heavily into both when she ran into what was essentially a burning building. During her first week on the job alone, a tractor-trailer carrying equipment to a national training camp flipped over and she was told there was only about six weeks' worth of cash flow in the bank. It was daunting to be sure, but Leung said she had 'zero buyer's remorse." 'It's been difficult at times, but there has never been a day that I thought 'We can't do this,'' she added. Accomplishing the 'impossible' Leung might have been one of the few. Yet her experience as a gymnast gave her a perspective that those who preceded her did not. Where others had been almost standoffish with sexual abuse survivors out of fear of legal retribution, Leung led with empathy that wasn't merely performative. The organization established an Athletes Bill of Rights in 2020. It later expanded mental health care services for both athletes and their coaches and created a new funding structure designed to give national team members more equity. Even some of USA Gymnastics' most visible critics took notice. Two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles, who publicly identified herself as a Nassar victim in 2018 and frequently called out the organization's leadership for a series of missteps, told the AP in 2024 that she had noticed a positive shift inside USA Gymnastics because those in power had 'stepped up to the role' and 'put in the work.' It's that shift that Leung is most proud of as she eyes a break. She had no idea how long she would stay when she came on board. Given the organization's tenuous position at the time, she didn't have the luxury. 'For me, it was about putting the big building blocks in place (and) accomplishing the things that were mission critical," she said. "Cultural change is the most difficult type of change to implement, because you have no idea how long it takes.' Leung understands that kind of change has no finish line. Yet when she walks out of her office in Indianapolis for the last time later this year, it will be far closer than when she walked into it. 'A lot of people said it was total career suicide (when I came on),' Leung said. "I thought the exact opposite of that. I think, obviously a lot of people thought it was an impossibility, (but) we've been able to accomplish what people thought was impossible.'
Hamilton Spectator
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Li Li Leung, who led USA Gymnastics in the wake of the Nassar scandal, to step down in December
Li Li Leung, who deftly guided USA Gymnastics back from the brink of collapse in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, is stepping down at the end of the year. The decision, which USA Gymnastics announced Thursday, comes with the organization in a far different place than it was when Leung took over in the spring of 2019. Back then, it was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and the long-term survival of one of the U.S. Olympic movement's marquee programs was hardly assured. USA Gymnastics had filed for bankruptcy just months before Leung's arrival in the hopes of reaching settlements in the dozens of lawsuits it faced from women who blamed it for failing to supervise Nassar, a former national team doctor who sexually abused them under the guise of medical treatment. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee was in the process of stripping USA Gymnastics of its status as the national governing body for the sport. Sponsors fled . Most importantly to Leung, a former college gymnast, the trust between the organization and its stakeholders — from athletes to parents to coaches — appeared irrevocably broken. Through a mixture of empathy, savvy and commitment, it's not that way anymore. The lawsuit was settled in late 2021 . The USOPC eventually halted the decertification process. High-profile corporate partners reengaged and, in some instances, even expanded their relationship . More vitally, the daunting culture shift USA Gymnastics faced as it tried to remake itself more athlete-focused has found firm footing. Throw in a dazzling performance at the Paris Games last summer by the women's Olympic program and a resurgent one by the men , and Leung knew it was time to make a choice she called 'difficult' and 'bittersweet' but also necessary. 'The organization is in a great place right now,' Leung told The Associated Press. 'I feel comfortable about being able to hand it over in this situation, in this position, to my successor who can then build on all the achievements we've had so far.' While Leung stressed she isn't burned out, she added she'd 'like a little bit of a rest.' She also wants to ensure whoever follows her will have plenty of runway ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'From a timing perspective, it would be completely unfair of me to say to the (USA Gymnastics board of directors) in 2027: 'Hey I'm out. Now you have to figure out how to get us to LA,' she said. 'A significantly stronger position' The search for her replacement will begin immediately. Leung, who said she is firmly committed to finishing out the year, will be part of the hiring process for a job that looks far more desirable now than it did six years ago. 'Li Li leaves USA Gymnastics in a significantly stronger position than when she joined, with a promising trajectory towards LA 28,' USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland told the AP. 'Her leadership faced numerous challenges, yet she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, along with unwavering support for the athletes.' When Leung was hired, she was the fourth person to hold the titles of CEO and president in two years. She never put a timeline on how long she might stay, though she believes her departure showcases just how stable things have become. 'It's a sign of good organizational evolution to have new leadership come into place and have new perspectives and innovative thinking,' she said. Leung leaned heavily into both when she ran into what was essentially a burning building. During her first week on the job alone, a tractor-trailer carrying equipment to a national training camp flipped over and she was told there was only about six weeks' worth of cash flow in the bank. It was daunting to be sure, but Leung said she had 'zero buyer's remorse.' 'It's been difficult at times, but there has never been a day that I thought 'We can't do this,'' she added. Accomplishing the 'impossible' Leung might have been one of the few. Yet her experience as a gymnast gave her a perspective that those who preceded her did not. Where others had been almost standoffish with sexual abuse survivors out of fear of legal retribution, Leung led with empathy that wasn't merely performative. The organization established an Athletes Bill of Rights in 2020. It later expanded mental health care services for both athletes and their coaches and created a new funding structure designed to give national team members more equity. Even some of USA Gymnastics' most visible critics took notice. Two-time Olympic champion Simone Biles, who publicly identified herself as a Nassar victim in 2018 and frequently called out the organization's leadership for a series of missteps, told the AP in 2024 that she had noticed a positive shift inside USA Gymnastics because those in power had 'stepped up to the role' and 'put in the work.' It's that shift that Leung is most proud of as she eyes a break. She had no idea how long she would stay when she came on board. Given the organization's tenuous position at the time, she didn't have the luxury. 'For me, it was about putting the big building blocks in place (and) accomplishing the things that were mission critical,' she said. 'Cultural change is the most difficult type of change to implement, because you have no idea how long it takes.' Leung understands that kind of change has no finish line. Yet when she walks out of her office in Indianapolis for the last time later this year, it will be far closer than when she walked into it. 'A lot of people said it was total career suicide (when I came on),' Leung said. 'I thought the exact opposite of that. I think, obviously a lot of people thought it was an impossibility, (but) we've been able to accomplish what people thought was impossible.' ___ AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed to this report. ___ AP Olympics:
