Funding for the Lake Erie Olympic Organizing Committee

As we imagine a Lake Erie Olympics, we have to consider how to finance it. I think that the very nature of the Lake Erie Olympics itself will help fund it. I like to think of the whole enterprise as an exercise in socially responsible, creative capitalism. In this sense, it will be the most American and the most global of all the Olympics. We are going to be involved in an Olympic revision—a radical change in the way that we see the Olympics.

The Los Angeles Olympics of 1984 demonstrated that it was possible to finance the games using solely private financing. I believe that we will be able to count heavily on private financing from corporate sponsorship because the corporate world wants to support expanding the Olympic vision. Sponsors will acquire the right to advertise their sponsorship of the most global Olympics ever, the Olympics which will change how the Olympic Movement affects the world. Sponsors will thus attain a massive marketing advantage in developing markets. This does not reduce this progressive Olympics to merely turning a profit, although there is nothing wrong with turning a profit, especially when we plan to give a substantial percentage of our Olympic surplus to Haiti and Nicaragua.

We will need seed money. Some of it will come from the United States Olympic Committee, but most of it will come from creative fund-raising mechanisms. These fund raising mechanisms will supplement corporate sponsorship, television revenues, and ticket sales (all three of which will be significant).

Consider the following fund-raising possibilities. I am using the names of various stars, athletes, and corporations without their permission at this point. This is purely an exercise in imaginative creativity. I do not think any of the people or corporations named will object to my use of their names. I hope that most will want to be involved.

Imagine the following:

1. Auction or raffle: Tour the Rock Hall of Fame with Bruce Springsteen as your guide. Listen as the Boss explains to you who influenced his music. Listen as the Boss performs a few songs in the Rock Hall.
2. Auction or raffle: Take a Cadillac Limo ride with the following stars to their concerts. Enjoy backstage passes to the concert.
a. Bruce Springsteen
b. U2
c. Taylor Swift
d. Chrissie Hynde
e. Black Eyed Peas
f. Tim McGraw
g. Others
3. Auction/raffle: write a song with your favorite music star. Songs to be performed by the star and the winner at the Lake Erie Olympics (winner does not have to perform if winner does not want to). An excellent opportunity for up and coming musicians to get publicity. The following performers:
a. Brad Paisley
b. Kenny Chesney
c. Faith Hill
d. Others
4. NFL
a. Direct sponsorship for we will be introducing football as an Olympic sport.
b. Auction/raffle: Tour the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton with the following players, coaches and announcers as your guide. Dine with players, coaches and announcers. Auction and/or raffles held in various American cities. Some proceeds to local charities. Most proceeds to LEOOC. Winners will be flown to Akron/Canton regional airport and will have lodgings at a hotel in Canton.
i. Jim Brown
ii. Colt McCoy
iii. Eric Metcalf
iv. Mike Ditka
v. William the Refrigerator Perry
vi. Terry Bradshaw
vii. Lynn Swann
viii. Jerome Bettis
ix. Jimmy Johnson
x. Dan Hampton
xi. Mike Singletary
xii. Art Monk
xiii. Joe Buck
xiv. Troy Aikman
xv. John Madden
xvi. Tony Dungy
xvii. Many others.
c. Auction/raffle: play flag football with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Game to be played at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tour the Hall with Mr. Manning and Mr. Brady after the game. BBQ or dinner at a restaurant following the game. Tickets to watch the game to be sold nationally. Four friends and relatives will also be included in the package. All proceeds to LEOOC.
d. Auction/raffle: play flag football with Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. Game to be played at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tour the Hall with Mr.
Rodgers and Mr. Cutler after the game. BBQ or dinner at a restaurant following the game. Tickets to watch the game to be sold nationally. Four friends and relatives will also be included in the package. All proceeds to LEOOC.
e. Auction/raffle: play flag football with Drew Brees and Kurt Warner. Game to be played at Infocision stadium in Akron. Tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Mr. Brees and Mr. Warner after the game. BBQ or dinner with the University of Akron Football coach at a restaurant following the game. Tickets to watch the game to be sold nationally. Four friends and relatives will also be included in the package. All proceeds to LEOOC.
f. Auction/raffle: play flag football with Troy Smith and Vince Young. Game to be played at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. BBQ or dinner with the Ohio State Football Coach at a restaurant following the game. Tickets to watch the game to be sold nationally. Four friends and relatives will also be included in the package. All proceeds to LEOOC
g. Auction/raffle: attend each year’s inductions at Pro Football Hall of Fame.
h. Auction/raffle: Tickets to Hall of Fame Game. Interview select players after the game. Keep the tape of the interview.

5. Auction/Raffle: Tour the College Football Hall of Fame with the following players and coaches as your guide. Dine with players and coaches. Auction and raffles held in various American cities. Some proceeds to local charities. Most proceeds to LEOOC. Winners will be flown to South Bend airport and will have lodgings at a hotel in South Bend.
a. Archie Griffin
b. Joe Theisman
c. The Ohio State Football Coach
d. Lou Holtz
e. Brian Kelly
f. Urban Meyer
g. Kirk Herbstreit
6. NASCAR race in Detroit with most or all proceeds to LEOOC.
7. Auction/raffle: engage in service work with former Olympic athletes. National and international. Sponsored by LEOOC sponsors.
8. Auction/raffle: work out with former Olympic athletes.
9. MLB:
a. Direct sponsorship for we will re-introduce baseball as an Olympic sport. The World Baseball Classic has demonstrated that baseball is a global sport, more global than curling and other Olympic sports. It is not just an American game.
b. Auction/Raffle: tour the Baseball Hall of Fame with your favorite players, managers, and announcers.
i. Ryne Sandberg
ii. Steve Stone
iii. Manny Ramirez
iv. Kerry Wood
v. Derek Jeter
vi. Tim McCarver
vii. Grady Sizemore
viii. Jim Thome
ix. Others
c. Auction/raffle: Your children will attend a baseball camp run by Lou Piniella, Derek Jeter, and others. Camp will take place in Florida in February/March.
d. Auction/raffle: take batting practice with your favorite pro team. After BP you will get the chance to sit in your team’s dugout as they warm up. Bring your camera! Takes place in each major league park.
10. NBA:
a. Direct Sponsorship because basketball is an Olympic sport.
b. Auction/raffle: play horse with your favorite NBA star. Players and former players include:
i. LeBron James
ii. Dwight Howard
iii. Michael Jordan
iv. Shaquille O’Neal
v. Kevin Garnett
vi. Kobe Bryant
vii. Others
11. Television contract.
12. Direct Corporate sponsorship. Sponsors acquire the right to advertise their sponsorship of the most Olympic, most global Olympics ever, the Olympics which will change how the Olympic Movement affects the world. Sponsors will thus attain a massive marketing advantage in developing markets.
13. Ticket sales.