Unlike almost every other major nation, the U.S. government does not fund its Olympic athletes, let alone their retirement accounts. Most Team USA members live below the poverty line while training, relying on side hustles or "mom and dad" to survive. Starting with the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics, Ross Stevens, Founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, will give $200,000 to every U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete — even if they don’t win a medal.
The "Passing the Torch" report, produced by the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics & Paralympics, highlights a significant wealth gap: nearly 60% of USOPC and governing-body executives earn over $150,000 annually. In contrast, 26.5% of current athletes earn less than $15,000 a year — a razor-thin margin considering the average athlete's competition costs are $12,000 annually.
Who is eligible?
The goal of the initiative, called the Stevens Awards, is to help the "average" Olympian who isn't making millions from sneaker partnerships or promoting sports drinks. Top-earning athletes won't be eligible for the "bonus." For instance, NHL players taking the ice for Team USA, who earn an average salary of $2,688,173, will not benefit from the payout.
Athletes must meet the following criteria:
- Income cap: To ensure the money goes to those who need it, it’s restricted to athletes making less than $1 million per year.
- Paralympians included: The fund covers every single U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete who makes the team.
- Stackable: If an athlete makes three different Olympic teams, they earn three sets of awards — totaling $600,000 in future benefits.
The $200,000 package
The money won't be accessible right away. The $200k payout is structured as a long-term nest egg rather than a quick cash transfer. Each eligible athlete receives:
- $100,000 cash grant: This is paid out over four years. However, athletes can’t touch it immediately. They can access it 20 years after their first Olympics or when they turn 45, whichever comes later.
- $100,000 Life insurance policy: A guaranteed benefit for the athlete’s family or chosen beneficiaries.
The donation that started the ball rolling
"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the ultimate symbol of human excellence. I do not believe financial insecurity should stop our nation's elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers," Stevens said. Essentially, he’s giving them a retirement plan they otherwise wouldn't have.
Called the Stevens Financial Security Awards (Stevens Awards), the gift is intended to provide financial support to those who represent the U.S. Stevens’ goal is to "...honor the sacrifices they (athletes) have made on behalf of all Americans while inspiring the development of their dreams in the post-Games chapter of their lives."
The $100 million donation was announced in a press release on March 4, 2025, by USOPC. Chair Gene Sykes said, "...we can create more than a financial safety net — we can build a springboard that will propel these athletes to even greater heights beyond their Olympic and Paralympic careers.”
Both Sykes and Stevens, according to the statement, issued a "call to action for additional financial support, whereby the program will live forever and support every generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to come." The $100 million gift will be able to sustain awards "at least through the 2032 Games."
