Colbert Report to sponsor the U.S. speed skating team
The show isn't paying the team any money directly. Instead, Colbert is calling on his fans to donate to the team via colbertnation.com and usspeedskating.org. In the past, Colbert has had a great deal of success raising money this way. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a charity that assists injured service members and their families.
The Dutch bank DSB was to pay $300,000 for the sponsorship but failed to make any payments. That put US Speedskating in a difficult position with little time to court new sponsors before the games begin in February.
US Speedskating executive director Robert Crowley, who appeared on Monday's show along with Jansen, acknowledged it was a "definitely unconventional arrangement," but said it would generate exposure for the sport.
"We're highly optimistic that the country is going to get behind this and get behind the Colbert Nation and support this amazing team," Crowley said. "I don't have any idea if it's going to make $5 or $500,000. I couldn't tell you."
Isn't it cool? I would be more impressed if Colbert wrote a check to the team directly (like the bank-sponsor that went bust was supposed to do), but I do hope this arrangement will work out and the U.S. team raises enough money to go to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I have a soft spot for speedskating - my dad loves the sport and he has competed and won (albeit at the amateur level) well into his fifties. It is a beautiful sport to watch.