Have the Olympics lost their luster? Paris will provide the answer.

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group, was quoted in the The Washington Post in an article discussing the upcoming Paris Olympics and its potential reboot after facing some challenges over the last few Games. The article notes that the Games "may have lost some of the magic that once made them mandatory viewing," highlighting that the Games are at a crossroads after scandals, political controversies and the pandemic. 

The article discusses the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which reinvigorated the Olympic movement with an "innovative self-funded approach that launched a golden era of booming broadcast rights and sponsorships that led to financial successes in cities such as Barcelona, Atlanta and London." The article further notes that many in the Olympic world "are hoping these Games will do what Los Angeles did 40 years ago." 

The article explored some of the issues faced in the current Olympics and how that might affect the audience, including declining ratings, changing viewership, the overwhelming costs of hosting the games and the struggle to balance traditional Olympic sports and the new sports recently adding to the Games.  “The Olympics is getting a little old; it has the potential for aging out,” said Irwin.

Read the full article in The Washington Post here. Access may require a subscription.