Study: Olympic NGB heads make average of $228K

Executives who direct Olympic national governing bodies make an average of $228,456, and the U.S. Tennis Association boss tops the list as the only head to crack seven figures, having collected $1.3 million last year, according to a study conducted by The Gazette.

A survey of the latest income tax returns available on each NGB’s website found that 15 of 46 NGB executive directors and chief executive officers pull at least $250,000 in total compensation, which includes base salary, benefits contributions, bonuses and incentives. All but nine earn more than $100,000, and none had incomes less than $67,000.

Following Gordon Smith of U.S. Tennis are Chuck Wielgus of Colorado Springs-based USA Swimming at $731,581, Bill Marolt of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association at $652,000, Dan Flynn of U.S. Soccer at $646,066, former USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan at $573,700 and Steve Penny of USA Gymnastics at $458,085.

Among leaders of NGBs in the Springs, Dave Ogrean of USA Hockey trails Wielgus at $301,811, then comes Doug Beal of USA Volleyball at $293,854, Steve Johnson of USA Cycling at $269,665 and David Raith of U.S. Figure Skating at $257,266. Former USA Diving CEO Debbie Hesse was the highest-paid woman at $190,235, and the lowest-paid NGB head is Luke St. Onge of Springs-based USA Karate at $67,302.

By comparison, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun, in the final month of the first year of a four-year contract, owns a base salary of $450,000 – $48,955 more than the USOC paid Stephanie Streeter for 10-plus months of turbulent service that came to a halt in January and $21,757 more than Jim Scherr received in the last year of a six-year tenure that ended with a forced resignation in March 2009. In all, Streeter tallied $1.006 million.

A look at the salaries of NGB heads:

Executive                               NGB                                                   Compensation

Gordon Smith                          U.S. Tennis                                         $1,327,974

Chuck Wielgus                         USA Swimming*                                   $731,581

Bill Marolt                               U.S. Ski and Snowboard                         $652,000

Dan Flynn                               U.S. Soccer                                         $646,066

Doug Logan^                          USA Track & Field                                 $573,700

Steve Penny                           USA Gymnastics                                   $458,085

John Long                              U.S. Equestrian                                    $305,841

Kevin Dornberger^                   U.S. Bowling                                        $305,281

Dave Ogrean                          USA Hockey*                                       $301,811

Doug Beal                              USA Volleyball*                                    $293,854

Christopher Ramsey                 USA Water Polo                                    $291,168

Steve Johnson                        USA Cycling*                                       $269,665

David Raith                            U.S. Figure Skating*                              $257,266

Jim Tooley                             USA Basketball*                                    $251,294

Nigel Melville                          USA Rugby                                           $251,264

Skip Gilbert^                          USA Triathlon*                                     $243,096

Debbie Hesse^                       USA Diving                                           $190,235

Rich Bender                           USA Wrestling*                                     $187,693

Ron Radigonda                       USA Softball                                         $167,582

Paul Seiler                             USA Baseball                                        $167,222

Charlie Leighton^                   U.S. Sailing                                          $167,008

Glenn Merry                           U.S. Rowing                                         $159,517

Kevin Klipstein                        U.S. Squash                                        $150,000

David Askinas                         USA Taekwondo*                                 $146,566

Darrin Steele                          USA Bobsled & Skeleton*                       $142,030

Jim Millman^                          USA Boxing*                                        $140,406

Robert Mitchell                       USA Shooting*                                     $140,120

Terry Harper                          U.S. Synchronized Swimming                   $134,992

Bob Crowley^                        U.S. Speedskating                                 $130,200

Ron Rossi                              USA Luge                                             $127,133

Jim Hiser                               USA Racquetball*                                  $121,928

Sheila Walker^                       USA Field Hockey*                                $115,502

Steve Locke^                        USA Water Ski                                      $113,059

Steve Pastorino                      USA Team Handball                               $108,333

Denise Parker                         USA Archery*                                      $108,330

Max Cobb                              U.S. Biathlon                                       $106,000

Michael Massik^                     USA Fencing*                                      $102,343

Dennis Snethen^                    USA Weightlifting*                                $96,414

Richard Hawkins                      USA Roller Sports                                 $96,170

Dan Cloppas                           USA Badminton*                                  $90,542

David Yarborough^                  USA Canoe/Kayak                                $88,528

Mike Cavanaugh                      USA Table Tennis*                               $84,559

Rick Patzke                             USA Curling                                        $82,644

Jose Rodriguez                        USA Judo*                                          $77,250

Brad Camp^                           USA Pentathlon*                                 $75,000

Luke St. Onge                        USA Karate*                                       $67,302

*Colorado Springs-based NGB

^Executive no longer with NGB

Note: Salary figures reflect the latest available on each NGB’s website. Figures reflect total compensation, including base salary, benefits contributions, bonuses and incentives.

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