City council criticizes LA28 for secrecy

Los Angeles City Council members publicly accused LA28 last week of withholding basic budget and revenue details as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics. (ocregister.com) The criticism came during an April 14 committee meeting, where council members said they had repeatedly asked for clearer numbers on spending, ticketing and projected revenue and still did not have enough information to judge the city’s risk. (ocregister.com) That fight is tied to the structure of the Games themselves: LA28 is a private nonprofit running the 2028 Olympics, but Los Angeles signed the host-city deal and remains financially exposed if the budget fails. (olympics.com) City records say LA28 reported a $6.9 billion Games budget in its 2024 annual report, and the city’s analysts said the organizing committee is required to submit yearly reports under its Games Agreement with Los Angeles. (cityclerk.lacity.org) The city’s own August 2025 review said LA28 gave only limited contract information, not the full list required for contracts above $1 million. The report said the Games Agreement calls for “name, type, amount, term and purpose,” and city staff said they would keep working with LA28 on a process to provide it. (cityclerk.lacity.org) The stakes are bigger because Los Angeles is the first backstop if the Games lose money. California lawmakers approved a second-layer guarantee of up to $270 million in 2017 after the city covers the first $270 million, but LAist reported on April 16 that the governor’s office still has not signed the contract to formalize that state commitment. (laist.com) LAist reported that if LA28’s deficit goes beyond $540 million, Los Angeles would be responsible for the rest. CNBC reported last year that the city was already facing widening budget stress unrelated to the Games, including a projected shortfall and wildfire recovery costs. (laist.com) (cnbc.com) The council’s frustration also comes after LA28’s first ticket sales this month drew complaints about price and fees. LA28 says it offers flexible pricing and hospitality packages through On Location, while Fox 11 reported that buyers were charged a 24% service fee and many marquee seats ran into the thousands of dollars. (la28.org) (foxla.com) LA28 has said publicly that it is working with city and state partners on a “fiscally responsible Games,” and Mayor Karen Bass’s office told LAist it is confident an agreement on the state backup will be reached. (laist.com) The next pressure point is simple: council members want the numbers before the spending gets closer to 2028. If LA28 keeps resisting fuller disclosure, the city’s oversight fight is likely to keep playing out in public. (ocregister.com)