Olympic Sparring

The head of the Olympics’ biggest revenue source accused a major sponsor of damaging fund-raising for American athletes through “cynical . . . self-serving” attacks on the International Olympic Committee. NBC Sports President Dick Ebersol called John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. President David D’Alessandro a “bully” who has used the Olympics scandal to generate favorable publicity for his own gain. D’Alessandro, who has criticized Olympics officials for failing to initiate needed reforms, said, “If I were Dick Ebersol and had hitched my career to the Olympics, I’d be pretty scared too.” NBC has a $3.5-billion deal to broadcast five Olympic Games between 2000 and 2008. John Hancock has pulled out of negotiations with NBC for $20 million in ads during Olympic telecasts. The Boston-based company is paying more than $40 million as an Olympic sponsor but has pulled the Olympic rings from its advertising, annual report and stationery. D’Alessandro said Hancock will honor its Olympic commitments but also cited “preliminary indications” that the IOC might not invite the company back for future sponsorships.