IOC expects to make more than $2 billion from US TV rights

The International Olympic Committee expects to secure a more lucrative package for the US television rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games than the US$2.2 billion NBC paid for the rights to the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2012 London Games.

Richard Carrion, who leads the IOC's negotiation team for the rights, believes a minimum of three broadcasters will challenge for the rights, and is confident that the amount will top the current deal.

The US was handed a blow earlier this year, when Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Games ahead of Chicago. The 2014 Games, meanwhile, will be held in Sochi, in Russia.

The IOC is expected to follow the same bidding procedure as in 2003, when it accepted sealed bids from the networks at a meeting in Lausanne.