I would like to make this the first of regular communications to the Membership of USA Boxing in an effort to keep you informed about the issues we are dealing with at the National Office, as they will affect the membership of our organization

The most pressing issues for the Board of Directors of USA Boxing have been the A2P business arrangement, the relationship with the USOC and the finances of USAB.

A Task Force, appointed by the Board of Directors, met with representatives from both groups today in separate meetings.  Task Force members were from the Board of Directors:  Boyd Melson, Tom Coulter, Tom Virgets, Andy Geiger, Alan Rothenberg and Robert Blaha.

The group met with Jim Scherr, USOC Chief Executive Officer, and Jay Warwick, USOC Director of Sports Partnerships.

The Task Force discussed the situation regarding the probation of USA Boxing and operating revenues due from the USOC.  The USOC continued to state that while they were very pleased with the progress made in governance at USAB, both financial stability and stability in leadership needed to be demonstrated over a given period of time.  This means the recruitment and appointment of a full time Executive Director and the USOC’s approval of a Strategic Plan.  These issues need to be addressed as conditions of removing USA Boxing from probation.  They expressed full support of USA Boxing in moving forward, including additional financial support, if needed, to stabilize USAB.  They have also agreed to release the rest of the 2006 operating funds.

The A2P meeting was attended by Michael King, CEO of King World Productions and A2P, and five A2P staff members.  The meeting began with Jay Warwick from the USOC addressing the group, and expressing USOC’s strong support of USAB as it moves forward in its efforts to strengthen USAB.  The Task Force Members sought clarification regarding the A2P agreement and discussed the vision A2P and USAB had for amateur boxing in the United States.  Both sides agreed that while there was consensus on many of the actions which could be agreed upon to strengthen amateur boxing, there were still issues of control and authority between USAB and A2P which needed to be addressed.  A2P presented nine action items it considered necessary to proceed.

The Task Force agreed to assemble a working group to address the issues of the A2P contract within one week, to further clarify the relationship, and that the Acting Executive Director would work with A2P to create a 30/60/90 day action plan to implement plans for events in 2007.  This operational discussion would hopefully bring some clarity to where and when the competitions planned for 2007 would be held.

The bottom line for the LBCs is that in all these discussion about vision and the future, your organizations and the work you all do in developing boxers, coaches, referees and officials, will be more critical than ever in strengthening the foundation of USAB. It is understood that the National Office needs to do more to assist the LBCs in making this happen.  The details will begin to take shape in the coming weeks.