Marc Sheppard & Jon Schafer: Why the Proposed USBA–USSS Agreement Should Not Move Forward
Dear Biathlon Family:
This letter was shared ahead of the anticipated September 9, 2026 Board vote on the proposed merger with USSS.
The letter is preserved here as part of the record of member concerns during the proposed merger discussions.
Key Statements From the Letter
On due diligence and transparency:
“Instead, there has been a continued lack of transparency in the process and a surprising and disappointing disinterest in following basic due diligence for any financial partnership.”
On stakeholder support:
“...a recent survey authored by Zach Hall, Shawn Robison, Matt Sabasteanski, and Tracy Lamb of registered coach/official members found that only 6.2% favored approving the agreement.”
On independent review:
“Another logical next step would have been to secure an unbiased, professional evaluation of this proposed partnership, its legal ramifications, and the financial and governance guarantees that would be required to ensure a positive outcome for US Biathlon.”
On whether USSS is the only option:
“The notion that the USSS is our only option is simply not true.”
On the path forward:
“This is too important a decision to enter into with such widespread disapproval and well-documented concern.”
“And yes, this is a total scam. They are trying to take control of biathlon so they can strip it and sell it for parts.”— Jon Schafer, comment shared with Team Independent Biathlon
Editor’s note: They are the assertions of the letter’s authors and are published here as submitted; TIB is not presenting those allegations as independently established facts.
Letter from Marc Sheppard and Jon Schafer to the USBA Board, dated September 8, 2026. Full letter linked above.