Universal Sports Network is taking viewers inside the business of triathlon with a new episode of Beyond the Medals – The Business of Sport, which premieres this Wednesday 17 June 2015 at 19:30 ET.
Host Rick Horrow is joined by guests including reigning World Champion and ITU World number one ranked Gwen Jorgensen and USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach who provide an inside look at the life of an elite athlete and the organization behind her. In addition, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun discusses the importance of NCAA programs to the USOC’s success.
With Jorgensen’s recent dominance in the sport of triathlon and Chicago hosting the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships this September, interest in the sport continues to build with an opportunity of greater worldwide exposure.
June episode highlights include:
- Gwen Jorgensen joins the show via Skype from Spain where she is currently training. With an unprecedented 10 consecutive ITU World Series wins, Jorgensen reveals how sponsors help to defray training costs and how her recent success is attracting more non-endemic sponsors.
- Rob Urbach provides an overview of USA Triathlon’s growth, which is up to nearly 500 thousand members as at the end of 2014. This has led to an increase in interest from sponsors as well as the development of new properties including the new Super Sprint Series that expands the spectator and television audience.
- Urbach also details its recently announced US$2.6 million grant program that helps universities launch triathlon programs. The sport was approved by the NCAA in 2014 as an emerging sport for women; and USA Triathlon has a goal to have 40 varsity programs by 2020 in order to be designated as a championship sport.
- Also, on the topic of college sports, Scott Blackmun comments on the difficult situation caused by universities cutting budgets and dropping Olympic sport programs and what he is doing to address the problem. Blackmun stresses the common mission of the USOC and the NCAA, and the need to provide opportunities for student athletes and Olympic athletes regardless of the bottom line.
A Universal Sports Original Production, Beyond the Medals – The Business of Sport takes an in-depth look at the economic, political and social stories affecting the Olympic sports industry on the road to the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. Beyond the Medals – The Business of Sport is co-executive produced by Universal Sports Network, Lagardère Unlimited and Horrow Sports Ventures.
Universal Sports Network Broadcast Schedule: Beyond the Medals – The Business of Sport
All Times Eastern -Subject to Change
Date / Time (ET) / Episode
June 17 – 19:30 Premiere – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 17 – 22:30 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 18 – 21:30 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 19 – 13:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 20 – 07:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 20 – 22:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 22 – 12:30 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 22 – 20:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 23 – 08:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 24 – 17:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
June 26 – 22:00 Encore Presentation – Episode 6: Triathlon
Universal Sports Network, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, offers more than 1,200 hours of original programming each year. Universal Sports has exclusive rights to world and national championship events in a wide array of sports, including swimming, track and field, gymnastics, cycling, skiing, figure skating and rugby.
