Gene Sykes

Co-Chairman of Global Mergers & Acquisitions; Chair, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Goldman Sachs

Search every verified Gene Sykes interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Gene Sykes, co-chairman of global mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs and chair of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, discussed the current state of dealmaking and Los Angeles's preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in a September 2026 appearance on the Odd Lots podcast. He described the current period as "the biggest M&A year in the history of the world," attributing the surge to technology-driven demand across industries, including semiconductors and power generation, and noted that private equity-owned companies now account for a smaller share of the market than in recent years. He also commented on the nature of mergers, stating that while such deals often involve shared leadership initially, management control tends to consolidate within a year. Regarding the Olympics, Sykes said the Los Angeles Games are "essentially privately funded," with the exception of federal government involvement in security and related logistics, given the participation of 206 countries. He addressed concerns about traffic during the event, comparing them to similar worries before the 1984 Games, and expressed confidence that planning and public awareness of Olympic lanes would help manage congestion.