America's ABC News: By Bernie Wilson, AP Sports Reporter.
The tax haven of Bermuda has been picked over San Diego to host the 2017 America's Cup, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because defending champion Oracle Team USA, based in San Francisco, hasn't announced the decision.
The person said software billionaire Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. made the decision after consulting with the CEO of his sailing team, Russell Coutts, a New Zealander who also is director of the America's Cup Event Authority.
Requests for comment from Ellison were not answered. Reached in New Zealand, Coutts declined to confirm the decision, saying he was under a non-disclosure agreement. Members of San Diego's bid effort, as well as officials with the Port of San Diego, also declined comment, saying they were under a non-disclosure agreement. Mayor Kevin Faulconer wouldn't comment, his spokesman said, declining to give a reason. The spokesman wouldn't say if the mayor's office was also bound by an NDA. Officials in Bermuda didn't return an email seeking comment.
Read the full report here.
Editor's Note: I know Bernie Wilson well and rate both his sources and his Cup knowledge. I give this report 100% for credibility. I also know that the sailors were keen on Bermuda because of the tax haven status, preserving 100% of their payments.
– Roger McMillan
