Steinbrenner’s Role With USOC Might Be in Jeopardy

In no rush to resolve George Steinbrenner’s status as one of its vice presidents, the U.S. Olympic Committee will review Monday’s agreement between major league baseball and the Yankee owner, sound out its members and weigh public opinion before arriving at a conclusion.

USOC President Robert Helmick said Tuesday the decision could come as late as Aug. 22, when the 23 executive committee members gather for a regularly scheduled meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“It’s not a simple decision,” Helmick said in a telephone interview from his New York office. “In fairness to George and the Olympic movement, we’ll fully review the impact of the agreement. We’re not going to react hastily.”

Steinbrenner could simplify the USOC’s decision by resigning. Helmick said that was not discussed in a telephone conversation Monday night with the Yankee owner, but added he believes Steinbrenner would consider it.

“He was careful to say that because of his deep feeling of loyalty to the Olympic movement, he always stands ready to do what is in the best interests of the athletes and the Olympic Committee,” Helmick said. “It was clear to me that included the possibility of resignation.”

Steinbrenner was unavailable for comment, but sources said that he does not want to sever his relationship with the USOC.

A USOC board member since 1985, Steinbrenner was elected as one of three vice presidents in February, 1989. For the 12 previous months, he chaired an overview commission that played a central role in the USOC’s recent reorganization.

“No member of the Olympic Committee would say that the George Steinbrenner we know is the same one we read about,” Helmick said. “His behavior with the Olympic Committee has been cordial, loyal and helpful, unlike the characterization of him by the (baseball) commissioner.

“Partly as a result of George’s efforts, we are in much stronger shape than we’ve ever been before both structurally and financially. Those are both areas in which we asked George to work. He has made an important, valuable contribution. It would be a shame to lose him and his business acumen.

“At the same time, this is a serious matter, and it is being taken seriously by George and the USOC. When the commissioner of another sport, a very major sport, thinks (Steinbrenner) has not acted in the best interests of that sport, we should be cognizant of that and the impact it could have on an organization such as ours.”

Helmick and other USOC officials will be in Washington today to speak on behalf of a bill that would provide the committee with money from the sale of specially minted Olympic coins. Steinbrenner said previously that he would use his political contacts to aid in the bill’s passage.

Helmick said it is too early to speculate whether the USOC’s association with Steinbrenner will affect its relationship with politicians, corporate sponsors and the public. He added that the USOC will monitor public opinion between now and Aug. 22.

“An organization such as the Olympic Committee has a special relationship to the public, a special obligation to the public,” Helmick said. “We must be aware of that relationship.”