Agent: USOC’s BP connections could leave Olympic rings ’soaked in oil’

USOC’s BP connections concern Olympic athletes

Olympic athletes are wondering what impact the U.S. Olympic Committee’s multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with BP could have on their future, given the continued bad news coming from the Gulf Coast oil spill.

American athletes receive money from the USOC, some of which comes via the sponsorship with BP. The oil company signed a deal with the USOC in February worth between $10 million and $15 million.

Agent Evan Morgenstein said he has received a number of calls from Olympic athletes he represents who are concerned about the connections.

The London 2012 Olympic organizing committee also has a deal with BP, valued at around $58 million. And next weekend’s baseball series between the Cubs and White Sox also is sponsored by BP.