William King Named General Counsel of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee

COLROADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) today announced the appointment of William King as its new General Counsel, reporting directly to CEO Sarah Hirshland. King will assume his role on October 15 and will relocate to Colorado Springs. 

As General Counsel, King will serve as a key member of the USOPC’s executive leadership team, providing legal, governance, and compliance oversight across the organization and its affiliated entities. In this capacity, he will guide the USOPC’s legal strategy, ensure integrity and compliance across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement in the U.S., and serve as Corporate Secretary to the USOPC Board of Directors.

“William brings unparalleled legal expertise and a deep appreciation for the role sport plays in shaping lives and communities,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “As we continue to evolve the USOPC to deliver the best possible athlete experience and uphold the highest standards of integrity, William’s steady leadership and proven record navigating complex governance challenges will strengthen our ability to serve Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.” 

King joins the USOPC from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where he served as Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance since 2015. In that role, he managed complex litigation, government relations, compliance and infractions, sports gambling integrity, and governance matters on behalf of one of the most prominent collegiate athletic conferences in the nation. Previously, King was a founding partner at Lightfoot, Franklin & White, where he built a nationally recognized practice in college sports law, representing institutions, coaches, and student-athletes in high-profile NCAA matters. 

King earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Washington & Lee University and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif. He and his wife, Dolly, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of three adult children. The King family has a long record of community service, including William’s leadership as Board Chair of United Ability, a nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities.