Korn Ferry has joined Los Angeles’s 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a founding partner, taking on the role of Official Talent & Organizational Consulting Partner. The firm will oversee the hiring, onboarding, and development of roughly 5,000 staff members who will support the Games, while also building high‑performing teams for Team USA.
The partnership marks a significant expansion of Korn Ferry’s presence in a global event, giving the company a platform to showcase its talent‑management capabilities to a worldwide audience. It also provides access to a diverse pool of athletes, volunteers, and corporate sponsors, reinforcing Korn Ferry’s brand as a premier provider of talent and organizational solutions.
Korn Ferry’s Q4 FY 2025 results provide context for the strategic importance of the deal. The firm reported fee revenue of $712 million and net income of $64.2 million, a 3 % year‑over‑year increase in fee revenue driven by strong performance in Executive Search and Recruitment Process Outsourcing. Consulting revenue, however, declined, offsetting some of the growth. The LA28 partnership is expected to generate new revenue streams and deepen relationships with key stakeholders, supporting the firm’s broader growth strategy in the sports and events sector.
Korn Ferry’s sports practice, led by Jed Hughes, has a track record of recruiting for major sporting events. The firm’s prior relationship with LA28—having recruited the Games’ CEO in June 2024—has laid the groundwork for this expanded partnership. The LA28 Games, a privately funded, non‑profit organization, will host the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, marking Los Angeles’s third Olympic appearance and first Paralympic hosting. The Games will feature more women athletes than men, debut new sports, and will not build any new permanent infrastructure.
The partnership places Korn Ferry among the seventh founding partners of LA28, alongside Delta, Comcast, Honda, Starbucks, Google, and Intuit. As a founding partner, Korn Ferry holds the highest level of sponsorship, positioning the firm to influence the Games’ culture and operational excellence. CEO Gary D. Burnison said, “Our partnership is all about building the culture and energy that will define the Games. Simply put, we’re powering the people who power the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games.” LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman added, “This expanded partnership is about building the team that will bring the LA28 Games to life and inspire the world.”
The deal is the first new sponsorship announced in 2026 for LA28, underscoring the Games’ commitment to securing high‑profile partners that can deliver expertise in talent and organizational management. Korn Ferry’s involvement is expected to strengthen its presence in the sports and events sector and provide a high‑visibility platform for its integrated solutions model, which blends executive search, consulting, and digital platforms.
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