While most athletes participating in the Olympics choose to stay in the host city’s Olympic Village, USA Basketball has historically opted out of lodging in the facility. Even during the ongoing event in Paris, the American men’s and women’s national teams have booked a five-star luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, that is reportedly costing USA Basketball $15 million. But why are they bearing such a massive cost instead of using the facilities that the hosts have provided?

Well, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard’s eye-opening Olympic Village experience from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics might help shine a light on USA Basketball’s decision. Making an appearance in the Best of Both Worlds Podcast hosted by LSU star Flau’jae Johnson, Dame recalled the time when he visited the athletes’ dorms at the Tokyo Olympics Village. “I looked at the dorm and I was like man, I don’t know if I could stay in like I wouldn’t be able to stay in that.” Dame remarked.

Obviously, at the time, all athletes were provided the infamous cardboard beds to sleep on throughout the event. “All these athletes competing at this level for their countries, you know they spend their whole lives like coming to do this and then that’s the setup.” Lillard said, taken aback by the underwhelming facility. More importantly, it made him realize how fortunate he and the rest of Team USA were to be able to stay at the best hotels, “It wasn’t like a crazy negative thing, but I was just like Man, you know, we lucky! We lucky to have it laid out the way we have it laid out.” With all the players on Team USA earning millions in salary, it would have been difficult for them to adjust to mediocre lodging facilities of the Olympic Village.

$80 million revenue saves Team USA from bad Olympics experience

Despite the aforementioned struggles by Dame, most athletes choose the Olympic Village either to immerse in the experience or due to budget restrictions. However, USA Basketball has no shortage of money. Raking in nearly $80 million in revenue in the last four years, they have no issues loosening their pockets once every four years. During the year of the Tokyo Olympics, USA Basketball generated over $30.2 million in revenue, $15.4 million of which came from the NBA’s license and marketing agreement.

Moreover, with the reports that are emerging about the poor facilities in the Paris Olympics Village, it might have been a wise decision by USA Basketball to handle their own accommodation. To many people’s surprise, the cardboard beds from Tokyo have made a return this year as well and many athletes, including gymnast Simone Biles have publicly complained about it. “The bed sucks.” Biles wrote on IG. On top of that, the rooms provide no air conditioning due to their environment friendly approach and the menu given to the athletes is dominated by vegan options. Because of this, several athletes have left the Olympic Village and booked their private stays elsewhere.

But as Dame pointed out, Team USA has never had to worry about such issues, thanks to their stardom and the organization’s massive revenue.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.