Murdoch papers set to lose 2012 Olympics deal

Fallout spreads from News of the World phone-hacking scandal

By Associated Press

Published July 21, 2011 12:36PM (EDT)

News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch arrives at his Fifth Avenue residence, Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in New York. Emerging relatively unscathed from a British parliamentary hearing on the phone hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch returned to the United States on Wednesday, where his company faces a host of financial and legal challenges. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) (AP)
News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch arrives at his Fifth Avenue residence, Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in New York. Emerging relatively unscathed from a British parliamentary hearing on the phone hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch returned to the United States on Wednesday, where his company faces a host of financial and legal challenges. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) (AP)

Rupert Murdoch's British newspapers are set to lose exclusive access to British athletes ahead of the 2012 London Olympics after the phone hacking scandal that led to the News of the World's closure.

Team 2012, the Visa-backed project supporting potential British Olympians, had signed up News International as its official partner.

But Team 2012 says in a statement that "as a result of the closure of News of the World the contract can no longer be fulfilled as originally envisaged."

News International's remaining publications -- The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times -- would have been able to use the slogan "Official Newspaper of Team 2012."

But Team 2012 says it is looking for new media partners.


By Associated Press

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