Mutual of Omaha No Longer Sponsoring USA Swimming

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

Mutual of Omaha is no longer a sponsor of USA Swimming, according to a report from the Omaha World Herald. USA Swimming has now confirmed the news in a statement to Swimming World.

“It’s unfortunate to see a partner like Mutual of Omaha go, especially since we know USA Swimming’s best days are ahead of us. They were supportive in working with us to make the sport better, so we were surprised and disappointed to hear their decision,” USA Swimming chief marketing officer Matt Farrell said. “We’re working within the insurance category to see if there is a fit for the future.”

Farrell added that he’s excited Mutual of Omaha’s Breakout Swim Clinics, organized by Olympic gold medalist Josh Davis, will continue.

The Herald article speculates that the ending of the sponsorship could hurt Omaha’s chances of hosting the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2020 for a fourth-straight Olympiad (even though the U.S. Olympic Committee is technically the host of the event, not USA Swimming) and could put the semi-annual Duel in the Pool (traditionally sponsored by Mutual of Omaha) at risk.

The Herald also notes that USA Swimming will be losing a sizable chunk of revenue from the loss of this sponsorship. Mutual of Omaha was “in the top one-third” of the organization’s sponsors, and in 2014, USA Swimming brought in just under $10 million from sponsorships.

At the end of 2016, Mutual of Omaha did not renew deals with either USA Swimming or Marco Andretti Indycar auto racing. Jim Nolan spoke to the Herald on behalf of Mutual of Omaha.

“The contracts ended, and that gave us an opportunity to step back and revisit our sponsorship strategy and make sure the sponsorships were meeting our business needs,” Nolan said, according to the report.. “Both were excellent relationships and did a lot to promote our brand. But it’s not unusual for companies to change sponsorships and seek new opportunities to connect with customers.”

Read more from the Omaha World Herald here.

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Bess Swanson

7 years ago

The rumor of trials moving to a bigger venue … makes sense

Chris Woods

7 years ago

They’ve been so great for the sport in so many ways. Thank you.

chaskroll@msn.com

7 years ago

Reply to Chris Woods

Chris, YES! This should become a thread (if one does not other exist) to THANK Mutual of Omaha for there generous support to USA Swimming and its endeavors for these many years. BRAVO M of A.

Stephanie Miller Mindlin

7 years ago

Kelly Coulter

Kevin

7 years ago

Let’s see the trials back in Indianapolis!