July 3, 1999
Details from News Release
The Stadium of Fire celebration included a very special announcement for KSL Television and its viewers.
KSL TV and its sister radio station KSL 1160 have officially joined Salt Lake City's efforts to host the 2002 Winter Olympics.
News Specialist Jed Boal explains what it means for the station, its viewers, and the community.
It will be the biggest sporting event in our history. And now viewers will have an exclusive front row seat. Combined with the NBC coverage of the winter games, and KSL's local broadcasts, viewers will have an unprecendented window on events, athletes and community involvement.
With a gold medal push of the plunger, The Salt Lake Organizing Committee and KSL Television teamed up for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 1998 Olympic Gold Medalists Picabo Street and Nikki Stone joined S.L.O.C. president Mitt Romney, KSL President Steve Lindsley, and news anchors Dick Nourse and Ruth Todd for the announcement. Channel 5 and KSL Radio will be designated Utah's official stations for the Games and will be suppliers to the games and the U.S. Olympic team.
KSL Television President Steven Lindsley says the decision was driven by a committment to the community.
Steve Lindsley/President and GM-KSL Television :WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS, ACCESS TO ORGANIZERS AND ATHLETES, THAT WIILL REALLY BRING OUR VIEWERS INSIDE THE ROPES, SO TO SPEAK. THEY'LL BE ABLE TO COME CLOSER TO THE GAMES, CLOSER TO THE VENUES, CLOSER TO THE ATHLETES, AND THEY'LL DO IT THROUGH US.
S.L.O.C. President Mitt Romney called the agreement with KSL a powerful statement about the city's progress toward hosting a successful games.
Mitt Romney: SLOC President: IT'S A GREAT WAY TO INVOLVE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT KSL, AND THEREFORE THE WHOLE UTAH COMMUNITY IN THE GAMES IN A CLOSE INTIMATE MANNER. SO, IT'S PRETTY EXCITING FROM THAT STANDPOINT.
As an NBC affiliate, KSL already has rights to carry exclusive network coverage, but, this partnership will provide viewers more. Lindsley says the enhanced coverage and financial support for U.S. athletes is consistant with KSL's community involvement during its 50 year history. At the same time, KSL's news coverage of the Olympics will remain independant and impartial. Lindsley says says KSL's reputation as Utah's most trusted news organization will not be compromised.
Steven Lindsley: OUR NEWS ORGANIZATION WILL AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE ANY NEWS STORIES THAT ARE OUT THERE, AND IF THEY'RE HARMFUL TO THE SLOC EFFORT, IT'S JUST NEWS AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO NEWS.
KSL becomes the fourth Utah-based company to become an official supporter of the games since Romney took over the helm.
