Ex-NFL chief Tagliabue to look at USOC board structure

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has named former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to head a committee examining its governance structure after Chicago's failure to win the right to host the 2016 Summer Games.

USOC, which is searching for a new CEO, has faced criticism from some quarters for its lack of international support in the wake of the vote that saw Rio de Janeiro handed the Games.

In a statement issued on Thursday, USOC said the new committee would "assess the size, structure and operating practices of the USOC Board, and will recommend changes, if appropriate, for consideration by the Board."

"The Board of the USOC felt the time was right for an independent assessment of our governance structure, and we are extremely pleased that someone with Paul's sport, business and leadership credentials is willing to take on this role," said USOC Chairman Larry Probst.

"I believe that Paul is the ideal person to lead this committee. We look forward to hearing their findings and recommendations."

Tagliabue was NFL commissioner from 1989 to 2006.

USOC is looking for new candidates for their chief executive position after acting CEO Stephanie Streeter said she would not be a candidate.

Streeter, who replaced Jim Scherr in March, will remain in the role until the search for her replacement is complete.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Ken Ferris)