H.R. 5021: American Decade of Sports Act

This bill, known as the American Decade of Sports Act, aims to create a comprehensive strategy that uses major sporting events in the United States from 2024 to 2034 to enhance the country's international relations and soft power. Here are the key components of the bill:

1. Development of a Sports Diplomacy Strategy

The bill requires the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs to submit a five-year sports diplomacy strategy to Congress. This strategy must be submitted within 120 days of the bill's enactment and will outline how the U.S. can leverage upcoming sporting events to improve diplomatic relationships worldwide.

2. Key Elements of the Strategy

The strategy must include the following:

• A description of diplomatic objectives related to sports and metrics for success
• A partnership plan with local cities, communities, athletes, and organizations to promote U.S. strengths and diplomatic connections
• A coordination plan for internal efforts within the State Department to use sports diplomacy in various diplomatic engagements
• A plan for expediting visa approvals for athletes and international visitors coming to the U.S. for the events
• Details on financial and personnel support needed for implementing the strategy
• Plans for engaging foreign visitors with American culture and values

3. Public Availability and Updates

The submitted strategy must be published on the State Department’s website publicly within 180 days of enactment and updated after five years. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary must consult with Congress and provide updates on the strategy’s implementation every 180 days until December 31, 2034.

4. Establishment of the Office of Sports Diplomacy

The bill mandates the re-establishment of a department within the State Department, called the Office of Sports Diplomacy, which will manage sports diplomacy programs and implement strategies outlined in the bill. This office must report directly to a senior official and is responsible for:

• Coordinating the strategy's implementation across various departments
• Working with host cities and local partners to foster international connections
• Engaging local diaspora communities for deeper connections with international visitors
• Collaborating with sports organizations to develop international partnerships
• Enhancing economic ties with foreign nations through tourism and trade
• Promoting American culture through the arts to enhance foreign relations
• Ensuring efficient visa processing for international attendees

5. Staffing for the Office of Sports Diplomacy

The bill also requires the Secretary of State to assign at least three full-time staff members to this office to facilitate the implementation of the sports diplomacy strategies.

6. Implementation Progress Reports

Annual reports on the strategy's progress must be submitted to Congress, starting one year after the initial strategy submission and continuing until 2034.

7. Definition of Major Sporting Events

The bill defines the "American decade of sports" as the significant international competitions being hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034, including:

• 2024 Copa America
• 2025 Club World Cup
• 2026 FIFA World Cup
• 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
• 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup
• 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup
• 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Relevant Companies

• AAPL (Apple Inc.): As a major sponsor and technology partner in numerous sports broadcasts and events, Apple may be directly involved in enhancing the digital experience for viewers and participants.
• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): Google’s platforms, such as YouTube, may play a significant role in broadcasting and streaming sports events, thus benefiting from increased viewership through the bill's initiatives.
• NKE (Nike, Inc.): As a leading sports apparel company, Nike could see increased marketing opportunities and partnership engagements related to the events covered under this bill.