Breaking Down the '16 Bids

There are many factors that play into the Olympic bidding process. Some will even tell you that "commercial appeal," such as a city's ability to draw lucrative sponsorship and broadcasting rights packages, shouldn't even enter into the equation. Most, however believe that it does. That it must, to make the games a financially viability. With that in mind, here's Reuters' sponsorship breakdown as proposed by each city. For more details on each city's bid, click on the logo to go to their official site. We won't pass judgement because, well, we're biased being in the U.S. With that said, you sure can in comments! Tell us what plan you think is the best, most realistic, most viable, riskiest, etc. If there's enough interest maybe we'll even whip up a quick poll.

The domestic sponsorship program for the Olympic and Paralympic Games estimated at $1.83 billion.

Balanced OCOG budget, with revenue and expenditure at approximately $2.67 billion. The IOC contribution and TOP sponsorship income represent 38 percent of Madrid's total revenue.

The domestic sponsorship program for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is expected to total $659 million.

Balanced OCOG budget, with revenue and expenditure at approximately $2.82 billion.

The IOC contribution and TOP sponsorship income represent 31 percent of Rio de Janeiro's total revenue.

The domestic sponsorship program for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is expected to total $570 million.

Balanced OCOG budget, with revenue and expenditure at approximately $2.86 billion.

The IOC contribution and TOP sponsorship income represent 35 percent of Tokyo's total revenue. The domestic sponsorship program for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is $708 million.

The importance of accurate projections may be most important for Chicago, in the absence of a blanket federal government guarantee. Each of the other three candidates have secured this.

As we're seeing with Vancouver and London, a secure sponsorship plan, while never bullet proof seven years out, is one of the most important aspects of a bid. How much credence the IOC gives it in its decision next month, we cannot be sure. Give us your take. Who would you give the nod to, based on sponsorship alone?