Snoop Dogg's unlikely Olympics job and eye-watering daily wage for controversial role

Snoop Dogg is set to take on a huge Winter Olympics role following his constant appearances at the Paris Summer Games. The legendary rapper, 54, is set to be involved in Friday’s Opening Ceremony for Milan Cortina 2026.

Snoop will lend his voice as a commentator for US broadcaster NBC, having carried the Olympic Flame through the Parisian suburbs of Saint-Denis in 2022. The Californian, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr, became the unlikely face of the 2024 Olympic Games and was seen all around Paris over the course of the 17-day event.

Among his list of bizarre involvements in France was appearing at an equestrian event, wearing a full kit no less, alongside Martha Stewart, dancing with gymnasts, and swimming in a pool with legendary former Olympian Michael Phelps.

The Long Beach native’s role as the ubiquitous cheerleader even saw one critic label him the "Santa Claus of the Olympics." He went on to perform with Dr. Dre at the closing ceremony.

While baffling initially, his constant presence made sense as an attempt to make the Olympics appeal to a younger audience. But that came at a hefty cost as he received a significant pay package.

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According to an NBC executive, the former gangster rapper earned $500,000-a-day (£390,000) for his Olympic appearances, totalling $9million (£6.6m) across the full 17 days, plus expenses.

Not everyone was a fan of Snoop, however, with one online sceptic saying at the time: “He didn’t make me want to watch,” while another added: “Then they wonder why the host loses money on every Olympic Games.”

Such people are unlikely to be impressed by Snoop’s return for the Winter Olympics in Italy, where he has been named as Team USA’s first-ever honorary coach for the sporting event by USOPC. Announcing his mascot-like role, the American said: “I'm just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines, Team USA athletes are the real stars.

“This team represents the best of what sport can be: talent, heart and hustle. If I can bring a little more love and motivation to that, that's a win for me.”

Despite seemingly meaning well and many fans being happy to see his familiar face on their screens, some American supporters labelled the decision to hand him the role “a disgrace.” One wrote on social media: “Are you serious, what’s he coaching?”

Others chimed in by posting online: “Hard pass. Dude is intolerable,” and “Embarrassing for the USA.” Despite being handed the title of 'coach', it is unlikely the rapper will have a hands-on role when it comes to the training and regimes of the USA's athletes.

The USOPC instead explained how Snoop has been brought in to “lend his voice to help raise awareness and resources” for the US Olympic & Paralympic Foundation Team USA Fund, as well as “the team behind the team,” which includes “staff, coaches, medical experts, administrators and partners who help athletes chase their dreams and inspire the nation.”