Sports
LA28 Olympics adds Honda to top sponsorship tier in push towards US$2.5bn sales target
Deal also covers Team USA and includes media buy with NBC LA28 has now secured as many sponsors in 2025 as it did during whole of last year Automotive category made available to local organising committee after Toyota chose not to renew IOC TOP deal Japanese carmaker Honda has been named a founding partner of […]
- Deal also covers Team USA and includes media buy with NBC
- LA28 has now secured as many sponsors in 2025 as it did during whole of last year
- Automotive category made available to local organising committee after Toyota chose not to renew IOC TOP deal
Japanese carmaker Honda has been named a founding partner of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, making it the first brand to join the event’s top sponsorship tier in nearly four years.
Financial terms of the deal, which also sees Honda become the official automotive sponsor of Team USA for the next two Olympics, have not been disclosed. However, it has secured the highest designation available for local sponsors of LA28, with Delta Airlines reportedly paying US$400 million to become the inaugural founding partner of the Games in 2020.
Comcast is currently the only other founding partner of LA28 after Salesforce opted to end its sponsorship less than three years into the deal.
As part of the agreement, Honda will supply a suite of vehicles to help transport athletes, officials and other stakeholders during the Games, offering an opportunity to showcase the company’s electric range, such as its upcoming Honda 0 Series and Acura RSX.
Honda, which first established a presence in the US in Los Angeles in 1969, will also benefit from a multi-platform media collaboration with NBCUniversal, which will spotlight the brand during its coverage of both Milano Cortina 2026 and LA28.
Local organisers have a stated aim of securing US$2.5 billion in sponsorship revenue for LA28 and are planning to have US$2 billion of that total secured by the end of 2025.
John Slusher, who is the chief executive of US Olympic and Paralympic Properties, the joint venture selling combined partnerships on behalf of LA28 and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), told Sports Business Journal (SBJ) that the deal with Honda means more than US$1.5 billion have now been generated from sponsorship sales.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said the backing of Honda was both financially and strategically significant.
“As a privately funded games, our mandate is to generate the revenue we need to produce these Games,” Wasserman said. “The biggest line item of that is sponsorship revenue. To be able to announce another big partner with a really spectacular brand who has been invested in Southern California for a long time is both [financially] important but also, in many ways, strategically important.
“It’s another brand that sees the power of our Olympic platform to tell their story in a community that’s very important to that industry that they’ve been invested in for a long time.”
Sports
WVU’s Joy Naukot adds to awards haul | West Virginia University Sports
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Croatia U20 water polo third in the world
by croatiaweek June 22, 2025 in Sport (Photo: HVS) Croatia’s under-20 national water polo team has claimed the bronze medal at the World Championships held in Zagreb, marking a triumphant end to a golden era of junior water polo. In the third-place play-off, the young Barakudas delivered their best performance of the tournament with a […]
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(Photo: HVS)
Croatia’s under-20 national water polo team has claimed the bronze medal at the World Championships held in Zagreb, marking a triumphant end to a golden era of junior water polo.
In the third-place play-off, the young Barakudas delivered their best performance of the tournament with a convincing 13-8 victory over Hungary.
The win was not only a medal-winning performance but also Croatia’s first-ever triumph over Hungary at a major junior tournament.
This result crowns an exceptional year for this generation, who previously won gold at the European Championships. Their success confirms Croatia’s continued dominance in the world of water polo.
(Photo: HVS)
Head coach Zoran Bajić’s squad was outstanding in defence, led by captain and goalkeeper Mauro Ivan Čubranić. Čubranić made an incredible 20 saves in the match, including a penalty, putting on a captain’s display in his final junior outing.
(Photo: HVS)
In attack, Luka Penava stood out as the player of the match, scoring key goals at crucial moments. “There is no better feeling than finishing the tournament with a win – especially when it comes with our first ever victory over Hungary in a major competition,” Penava said after the match.
To top off an already memorable tournament, Vlaho Pavlić was named top scorer of the World Championships with an impressive 30 goals.
(Photo: HVS)
(Photo: HVS)
In the final, Spain defeated the United States 14-11.
With a European gold and a World Championship bronze to their name, this generation of young Barakudas end their junior journey on a high. Croatia once again confirms its place among the global elite in water polo.
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Sports
Cameron finishes breakthrough season at NCAA meet
Tarleton States Victoria Cameron (center) runs against two sprinters from USC at the NCAA West Regional track and field meet last month at College Station. Photo Credit: Contributed photo Mike Lee mllee@cherryroad.com Tarleton State sprinter Victoria Cameron, a sophomore from Stephenville, wrapped up a breakthrough indoor and outdoor track and field season during the… Previous […]
Sports
UK athletics suspends assistant coach Hakon DeVries pending investigation – Kentucky Kernel
UK Athletics’ assistant track and cross country coach Hakon DeVries has been suspended pending investigation by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity. University spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed that DeVries has been suspended with pay. DeVries recently completed his twelfth year with the Wildcats as assistant coach. He was initially hired by former track and field […]
UK Athletics’ assistant track and cross country coach Hakon DeVries has been suspended pending investigation by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity.
University spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed that DeVries has been suspended with pay.
DeVries recently completed his twelfth year with the Wildcats as assistant coach. He was initially hired by former track and field head coach Edrick Floreal, according to UK Athletics.
According to the university, the Office of Equal Opportunity “handles both internal and external complaints of discrimination, handles complaints of sexual misconduct, trains the University community on equal opportunity, [and] fosters a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment.”
This includes investigations of Title IX violations, which encompass both sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
The suspension comes amid an ongoing federal sexual abuse lawsuit against the athletics department involving former head swim coach Lars Jorgensen. Jorgensen resigned in June 2023 after being named in the suit filed by former UK swimmers for both sexual abuse and rape allegations. The trial for the lawsuit is scheduled for June 2026 in Lexington.
“The university takes very seriously reports of inappropriate behavior,” Blanton said.
“Our Office of Equal Opportunity investigates thoroughly and recommends disciplinary measures depending on the findings and specifics of each case.”
Sports
Meet the 2025 All-Metro boys golf team
The 2025 Post-Dispatch All-Metro spring series continues with boys golf. This includes players from both the Illinois fall season and Missouri spring season. Read more about boys golf, and other high school sports, at STLhighschoolsports.com. All-Metro boys golf first team Harper Ackermann, senior, CBC Ackermann was among the area’s top players all four years of high […]
The 2025 Post-Dispatch All-Metro spring series continues with boys golf. This includes players from both the Illinois fall season and Missouri spring season.
Read more about boys golf, and other high school sports, at STLhighschoolsports.com.
All-Metro boys golf first team
Harper Ackermann, senior, CBC
Ackermann was among the area’s top players all four years of high school golf, and he capped it off with his best season yet as a senior this spring. In the postseason, he fired a 6-under-par 138 to finish in a tie for fifth at the Class 5 state tournament, which came on the heels of a tie for third at the Class 5 District 2 tourney. He also earned titles in the MCC Tournament, the Bulldog Battle and the Columbia Classic and fashioned runner-up efforts at the Bantle Memorial and the Cape Notre Dame Invitational. Ackermann has signed to play at West Florida.
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Eric Ewing, junior, Chaminade
Ewing enjoyed a second successive strong postseason for the Red Devils, who finished as the Class 5 team runner-up. He posted matching rounds of 69 for a 6-under-par 138 and a tie for fifth place at the Class 5 state tournament, his second consecutive top-10 finish at state. Ewing also finished in a tie for ninth at the Class 5 District 2 tourney. In the regular season, he earned a runner-up finish at the MCC tourney and had a third-place showing at the Laker Invitational.
Ben Gelven, senior, MICDS
Gelven turned it on in the postseason in his final go-around with the Rams. He fired a 2-under-par 69 to win the Class 4 District 2 tournament and then carded a 2-over 144 at the Class 4 state tourney to earn a runner-up finish, just two shots off the pace. It was his second top-10 state finish in three years. Gelven has signed to play at Illinois Wesleyan.
Sam Ottwell, senior, Alton
Ottwell once again was one of the top Metro East golfers last fall, earning Class 3A co-player of the year honors from the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He captured medalist honors at the Southwestern Conference tournament and also took first place at the Class 3A Collinsville Regional with a career-best round of 65. Ottwell then had a runner-up finish at the Class 3A Decatur Sectional and finished in a tie for 24th at the Class 3A state tourney. Ottwell has signed to play at Illinois State.
Cole Packingham, junior, Liberty
Packingham had a strong campaign once again this spring. His season was capped off in spectacular fashion in the postseason with a sizzling 9-under-par 135 to capture third at the Class 5 state tournament to go along with a second consecutive Class 5 District 2 championship. The highlight of Packingham’s regular season was undoubtedly the 7-under 63 he shot to win the Warrenton Invitational White Division title and set a new state record for a par-70 course. He also tied for third at the Bulldog Battle.
Austin Rinkenberger, junior, Lafayette
Rinkenberger enjoyed a solid postseason for a Lancers squad that brought home team hardware with a fourth-place finish at the Class 5 state tournament. He tied for third at the Class 5 District 1 tournament and then carded an even-par 144 to finish in a tie for 11th at the Class 5 tourney. During the regular season, Rinkenberger fired a 5-under to win the Cape Notre Dame Invitational.
All-Metro boys golf second team
Jacob Florek, senior, Mascoutah
Florek posted the best state finish of any Metro East golfer last fall with a tie for ninth place at the Class 2A state tournament. He also fashioned a runner-up effort at the Class 2A Waterloo Regional and an eighth-place showing at the Class 2A Anna-Jonesboro Sectional. He has signed to play at Cal State Monterey Bay.
Mack Freeman, senior, Lafayette
Freeman fired a 1-under-par 143 to finish in 10th place at the Class 5 state tournament, as he helped the Lancers to a fourth-place team finish. He also finished in a tie for 13th at the Class 5 District 1 tourney.
Isaac Kelley, junior, Francis Howell
Kelley had a standout season that including earning GAC South player of the year honors. He finished as the runner-up at the Class 5 District 2 tournament and also had a third-place finish at the GAC South Conference tourney.
Kolton Kijanko, sophomore, Francis Howell
Kijanko had a strong second spring for the Vikings, who were fifth as a team in Class 5. He posted a 3-under-par 141 to finish eighth at the Class 5 state tournament, earned a fourth-place showing at the Bantle Memorial tourney and tied for 12th at the Class 5 District 2 tourney.
Mason Lewis, senior, Edwardsville
Lewis had a solid fall once again for the Tigers, including being named Class 3A co-player of the year by the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He posted a pair of runner-up efforts at the Class 3A Collinsville Regional and the Southwestern Conference tournament and added a seventh-place showing at the Class 3A Decatur Sectional and a tie for 19th at the Class 3A state tourney. He has signed to play at SMU.
Nick Vilela, junior, SLUH
Vilela was a key part of the Class 5 champion Junior Billikens outstanding crop of underclassmen. He fired a 2-under-par 140 to finish in ninth place at the Class 5 state tournament and also finished in a tie for 10th at the Class 5 District 1 tourney.
All-Metro boys golf third team
Caden Fehr, sophomore, Chaminade
Fehr carded an even-par 144 to finish in a tie for 11th place at the Class 5 state tournament. He also finished in a tie for 18th at the Class 5 District 2 tourney for a Red Devils squad that captured a district title and finished as the state runner-up.
Owen Moss, senior, Mater Dei
Moss was named the Class 1A player of the year by the Metro East Golf Coaches Association. He enjoyed a strong postseason for the Knights with a runner-up finish at the Class 1A Carlyle Regional, a tie for third place at the Class 1A Zeigler-Royalton Sectional and a tie for 13th at the Class 1A state tourney.
Trey Roessler, senior, Vianney
Roessler finished a strong career with the Golden Griffins by earning individual medalist honors at the Webster Cup. He also tied for eighth place at the Class 5 District 1 tournament and placed in the top 25 at the Class 5 state tourney. Roessler has given a verbal commitment to Olivet Nazarene.
Hudson Shy, sophomore, St. Charles West
Shy was the GAC North player of the year after a season that included championships at the Bogey Hills Invitational and the conference tournament, as well as a tie for 10th place at the Class 3 District 2 tourney and a tie for 17th at the Class 3 state tourney.
Owen Shy, senior, St. Charles West
Shy enjoyed a strong postseason run for the Warriors, capturing medalist honors at the Class 3 District 2 tournament on the strength of an even-par 70 and posting a fifth-place finish at the Class 3 state tourney with a 3-over 147.
Owen Walther, senior, John Burroughs
Walther enjoyed a strong senior campaign that included firing a 3-under-par 68 to take home co-individual medalist honors at the Metro League tournament. He earned a sixth-place showing at the Class 3 District 2 tournament and tied for seventh at the Class 3 state tourney.
St. Louis University High junior Harrison Zipfel is the All-Metro boys golfer of the year.
Sports
Why AAU Works for SwimAtlanta—and Why It Can Work for Your Club Too
This is an editorial from Chris Davis, the founder, owner, and head coach of SwimAtlanta, one of the top swimming programs in the United States. He established the club in 1977 with just 28 swimmers and one location. Today, SwimAtlanta operates at seven locations with over 1,800 swimmers and has produced numerous national and international […]
This is an editorial from Chris Davis, the founder, owner, and head coach of SwimAtlanta, one of the top swimming programs in the United States. He established the club in 1977 with just 28 swimmers and one location. Today, SwimAtlanta operates at seven locations with over 1,800 swimmers and has produced numerous national and international champions, including five Olympians
By Chris Davis, Founder & Head Coach, SwimAtlanta
There’s probably not a week that goes by without someone in the swimming community asking me, “How’s the AAU side of your team going?” And without fail, at every meet I attend, at least one coach pulls me aside to ask the same thing.
My answer is simple: It’s going great. And I follow that up by explaining why AAU works for SwimAtlanta—and why it could work for every swim club in America.
Here’s what I’ve learned after decades in the sport, both as a coach and as a business owner: at least 50% of our registered swimmers never attend USA Swimming sanctioned meets. They’re on the team for exercise, fitness, high school prep, summer league, or parks and rec—not for competition. And that’s okay. It gives us a chance to identify and guide athletes who could thrive in the sport toward a more competitive path.
But for the other half—the kids who won’t compete in USA Swimming meets—it never made sense to pay the full USA Swimming registration fee just for insurance coverage. I realized years ago that there had to be a more cost-effective solution. So we switched our non-competitive swimmers to a general umbrella insurance policy through Risk Management, which cost about $6–$7 per swimmer. That one change saved SwimAtlanta roughly $50,000 per year in unnecessary registration fees.
Enter AAU
Two years ago, we evolved the model again. We began dual-registering with AAU for a few key reasons.
- AAU meets are easy to sanction and host. We can get an AAU meet sanctioned in about an hour. Compare that to the lengthy process required through most LSCs. That means we can run fun, fast, insured novice meets for swimmers who aren’t ready for big-time competition. Everyone is covered under AAU’s insurance—swimmers, officials, and volunteers alike.
- The meets are efficient and inclusive. At our recent AAU Father’s Day meet, we hosted 200 swimmers and wrapped the event in two hours. Afterward, we rented out the water park for a team celebration. It was affordable, well-run, and a total blast.
- AAU provides a financial and structural alternative. While AAU registration costs a bit more than the Risk Management plan, we more than make up for that through meet revenue—especially because we’re not giving a required percentage to the LSC. This has allowed us to build a sustainable, engaging experience for developmental swimmers.
A Reminder To USA Swimming
My secondary motivation for registering with AAU is simple: to remind USA Swimming that they’re not the only game in town.
Competition, in any space, makes everyone better. SwimAtlanta thrives in Atlanta not because we’re the only option, but because other great teams push us to improve. We have to deliver for our families. We have to evolve. And we believe USA Swimming should be held to the same standard.
If USA Swimming starts losing market share, maybe that’s the wake-up call they need to rethink how they operate. Innovation doesn’t happen without pressure. And when there’s no competition, complacency creeps in.
If you’re interested in exploring AAU or just want to talk more about how we’re using this model at SwimAtlanta, I’m happy to share.
Chris Davis
SwimAtlanta Founder & Head Coach
[email protected]
SEE: AAU Swimming
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