When Los Angeles City Council member Paul Krekorian leaves office, he will oversee the city’s response to the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other large-scale events.

Mayor Karen Bass selected Krekorian, who previously served as City Council president and will step down Sunday due to term limits, to be executive director of the city’s Major Events Department. Bass’ office said the post would ensure the Olympics and other sporting events have a “positive economic impact on the city.”

The veteran City Council member will be the main liaison between Bass’s office and LA28, the private organization that hosts and pays for the convention. He will coordinate city departments, work with the business community, and oversee efforts to strengthen the city’s transportation network.

“We need a point person,” Bass said Thursday of the Olympics. “I have to get ready, but I feel like I’m a little behind.”

City leaders hope the Olympics will boost tourism and the local economy. Paris saw a surge in tourists during the 2024 Summer Olympics, but business at some stores and museums dropped dramatically due to safety restrictions that shut down parts of the city. Associated Press.

Transportation officials in the region have asked the incoming Trump administration to pay for billions of dollars worth of transportation improvements ahead of the Olympics, but there is no clear indication it will actually do so.

Bass, who worked with Krekorian in Sacramento and City Hall, cited his “institutional memory” and “sound judgment” in announcing his appointment. She also highlighted his work overseeing the city’s finances.

Krekorian, who was elected to the City Council in 2009 to represent part of the San Fernando Valley, led the powerful Budget and Finance Committee for several years, leading the San Fernando Valley out of the 2008 recession and through the coronavirus pandemic. This helped the country weather the economic shock caused by the pandemic.

Los Angeles is taking significant financial risks by hosting the Olympics. According to an agreement reached several years ago, the city would pay an initial $270 million and potentially millions more if the Olympics didn’t raise enough money.

On the other hand, the city’s authority regarding the Olympic and Paralympic Games is limited. The City Council could vote on the venue change and LA28 would reimburse the city for some services, but planning and execution of the event would be left to LA28.

Bass, Krekorian and other city and county officials visited Paris earlier this year to assess the city’s status in hosting the Summer Olympics.

Krekorian said in an interview that the city of Paris has created a new department of 100 staff, mostly from other city authorities, to plan for the Olympics. He said he hopes to create a similar division in Los Angeles by 2028.

Krekorian also said he would like to see more transparency around the tournament’s funding because “the city has a very strong vested interest” in the outcome of the tournament.

He did not disclose his new salary, but said it would be “slightly more” than the city councilman’s salary of $244,727, according to the city commissioner’s office. He said he hopes to continue in his new role until the 2028 Olympics.

Krekorian last month expressed concern about the election of Trump, who has repeatedly attacked California over his left-leaning policies. At the time, Krekorian said he expected “four difficult years ahead for our city on many levels, not least the availability of federal funds for various programs and preparation for the Olympics.” Ta.

On Thursday, Krekorian had an even more upbeat message, saying he hoped the Trump administration “understands the opportunity the Olympics present and will continue to support our efforts.”

Trump said earlier this week. nominate Monica Crowley, a TV commentator and former assistant secretary of the Treasury, has been appointed as the administration’s representative for “major U.S.-sponsored events,” including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Times staff writer Rachel Uranga contributed to this report.