NBC, who have the contract to cover the Games in the United States, warned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that if it was moved from its traditional July/August date to October as the Qatari capital planned then it would “become a weekend Olympics”.
Last year NBC agreed to a $4.38 billion contract with the IOC to broadcast the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 Olympics, the most expensive television rights deal in Olympic history.
Fears that hosting it in October would clash with the start of the NFL and NBA seasons plus the lucrative new autumn season shows was enough to scupper Doha’s bid, even though it would have been the richest Games in the history of the Olympic Movement.
The IOC’s Working Group Report laid out the problem, warning that that would lead to “reduced demongraphic reach, broadcasters would have difficulties in attracting the same audience levels in terms of working people and youth”, meaning it would hit NBC’s advertising revenue.
European broadcasters were also against a date change because it would have clashed with the early stages of the UEFA Champions League and the major football leagues.
The IOC report said: “In October, broadcasterss would face lower viewership/rating levels on a global level when having to compete with other major sports events or general entertainment/TV programming priorities for the autumn season.
“Significantly less Olympic broadcast would also result in lower exposure and impact commercial opportunities.”
Publically, at least, Doha accepted the decision.
“We respect the decision,” said Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the daughter of Qatar’s Emir and a vice-president of Doha 2020.
“We provided the dates that we thought were most suitable.
“We believe we did everything in our capacity.”
But she also hinted at the fury bubbling away under the surface.
“I think the two cuontries that were eliminated are emerging markets and I think it is a missed opportunity for the IOC,” she told insidethegames.
Baku also looked stunned by the decision with bid chief executive Konul Nurullayeva left in tears.
“We sincerely congratulate Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo that made it to the Candidate City Phase,” said a statement on their Facebook page.
“We are of course extremely disappointed, but we accept the decision of the IOC Executive Board.”
The report left them with no chance to stage the event as it said: “The Working Group nevertheless feels that the city’s infrastructure and Games’ planning and experience are not sufficiently developed at this stage to deliver successful Olympic Games in 2020.
“Concern was also expressed whether the significant amount of construction required to host the Games was consistent with the size and legacy needs of the city.
“For these reasons, the Working Group recommends to the Executive Board that Baku should not advance to the second phase of the 2020 bid process.”
The move appears to be a clear message from the IOC that financial muscle plays no part in winning a bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, particularly given the fact that Madrid has made it through to the final three despite Spain’s dire economic situation.
