/Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien wrote to The Sports Examiner following our 8 September story, detailing the City Council’s decision not to approve a non-binding Term Sheet with the New Zealand Olympic Committee for its hospitality and public outreach program in Culver City during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Council requested further staff research and will take up the matter again on 29 September. Mayor O’Brien’s opinions are, of course, his own alone./
After reading your article summarizing Monday night’s city council meeting, it echoed exactly how I felt walking out of that chamber: frustration. I had arrived expecting to celebrate a pivotal step forward – instead, we left with a decision delayed until September 29.
Like my colleagues, I’m inspired by the vision presented by New Zealand’s Olympic Committee.
But despite our shared excitement, we couldn’t align on the financial calculus – specifically, whether the investment would pay for itself in the long term.
To me, the answer is clear. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to partner with one of the world’s most celebrated Olympic nations – a country that brings unmatched energy, charm, and global appeal. The Kiwis offered to fund and organize an open, inclusive, and unforgettable fan zone adjacent to their Hospitality House at our iconic Culver Hotel. In Olympic circles, New Zealand is legendary for its hospitality, consistently delivering one of the most dynamic and welcoming national houses, regardless of their size.
As I said during the meeting, in an Olympic context: “New Zealand has the gravitational pull of the sun.”
In return, Culver City is being asked to provide basic public infrastructure – safety services, bathrooms, traffic management, and emergency health personnel – at an estimated cost of just over $700,000. That price tag gave some of my colleagues pause. They requested a detailed breakdown of costs and potential funding sources before making a final commitment. I respect that diligence, but I’m confident that by September 29, we’ll have the clarity and consensus needed to say yes – not just to New Zealand, but to the global moment this represents.
The enthusiasm from the Kiwi side is palpable. Days after that meeting, I attended a reception hosted by a local New Zealand expat – over 100 guests, including members of the NZ Olympic Committee, gathered to celebrate their future home in the heart of Culver City. They spoke passionately about the vision, the programming, and the partnership. They thanked us for our efforts. And they made it clear: this is not a casual endeavor – it’s the product of a year of coordination, trust-building, and shared ambition.
Yes, I wish we had finalized the agreement Monday night. But after waiting a year for this to take shape, I’m willing to wait a few more weeks. Because when the world comes to Culver City in 2028, and they step into the NZ Hospitality House – drawn in by that same gravitational pull – we’ll be proud to say we had the foresight to say yes.
[≡The Sports Examiner encourages expressions of opinion – we really do – but preferably based on facts. Comments may be sent to [email protected] We do not guarantee publication of any comment, but all comments submitted will be considered and your submission implies your agreement to publication (and light editing if needed to meet our grammatical and punctuation standards) at our sole discretion. Please include your name and hometown on any comment submitted for publication.≡]
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[≡The Sports Examiner encourages expressions of opinion – we really do – but preferably based on facts. Send comments to [email protected]. We do not guarantee publication of any comment, but all comments submitted will be considered and your submission implies your agreement to publication (and light editing if needed to meet our grammatical and punctuation standards) at our sole discretion. Please include your name and hometown on any comment submitted for publication.≡]
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