ORLANDO, Fla. – Could the USA Men’s Basketball team’s quest for another gold medal begin in Orlando? It’s possible, but that push hit an obstacle a bit Monday.
During a meeting Monday, Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Sports Incentive Committee rejected the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s funding request to lure USA Men’s Basketball to the city ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Orlando is one of the cities under consideration to host the team for training camp and exhibition games from June to July 2028.
“You’re talking Lebron James, who has been suggested playing in the Olympics,” Jason Siegel, the CEO of Greater Orlando Sports Commission, said in his pitch to the committee. “Along with all of that other marketing and exposure and social media and those guys in our community, eating in our restaurants, posting on social media, going to our theme parks. We know that this is just a unique and exceptional opportunity.”
After the meeting, Siegel told News 6’s Mike Valente that the committee’s rejection marked a “step in the process,” and noted that he can still make the request to the Tourist Development Council later this year.
The committee did, however, approve the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s funding request to participate in the Naismith Hall of Fame Series, bringing the Florida Gators and George Tech Yellow Jackets to the Kia Center for a men’s basketball game in December.
The committee approved $100,000 for the event in 2026, and voted to renew the event for 2027 and 2028 contingent on certain performance metrics.
The Orange County Commission still needs to approve the funding request for the Naismith game before it can move forward.