The U.S. Olympic Committee turned to former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Thursday to study how its oft-criticized board does business and determine if changes are needed. Tagliabue was chosen chairman of an independent committee that will look at the board to assess its size, structure and operating practices. Other committee members will be named later. The USOC board has been under intense scrutiny from critics who don't think it operates transparently. The board was scaled down from 125 to 11 people in 2003 but some people feel streamlining has made it too easy to rubber-stamp decisions that aren't always in the organization's best interests. The board forced out CEO Jim Scherr in March and replaced him with Stephanie Streeter, a surprising move that was widely viewed as the start of a downward slide for the committee. That slide culminated last month when Chicago was embarrassed by its first-round ouster from the voting to award the 2016 Olympics. Rio de Janeiro won the bid to host. Streeter later said she wouldn't seek the CEO position on a permanent basis, and the board is searching for a new domestic leader - as well as for a replacement for the board position she vacated upon becoming CEO. The USOC wants Streeter's replacement in place before the Vancouver Olympics in February and has said the end of 2009 was the goal. Larry Probst, meanwhile, has restated his commitment to staying on as chairman. He has said he's willing to do whatever is necessary to improve America's standing in the international Olympic community. Among ideas being floated is to increase the chairman's four-year term so the USOC will have a steadier presence abroad. Also on Thursday, the board passed a resolution to publish all of its meeting agendas in advance, as well as copies of board meetings, on the USOC Web site. It's a move that should give observers a better idea of what happens inside what has been a secretive boardroom.
