Wait Until You Hear How Much the Former Massachusetts Gov. Is Being Paid as an Ambassador for Boston's 2024 Olympics Bid

In early January, the U.S. Olympic Committee selected Boston as the city to represent the country before the International Olympic Committee for consideration to host the 2024 games. That decision will be handed down in the summer of 2017.

In the meantime, the 102 members of the IOC will be courted by representatives from Boston and Rome (the only two cities to formally announce their hope to host the games).

The effort to get the attention of the Olympic Committee is being driven by a privately-funded group called Boston 2024.

Yesterday, it was announced that former Governor Deval Patrick would be leading the lobbying efforts as Boston 2024's international ambassador. Patrick will not be a full time employee, but will be paid $7,500 per day that he works representing the cause.

The Boston Globe reports there is no cap on Patrick's deal, but there are restrictions placed (by the IOC) on access to the members of the selection committee. Representatives from would-be host cities are only allowed to meet with the IOC members at a handful of competitions held around the world.

For his last year as governor of Massachusetts, Patrick was paid $140,535. In his new position, he would only need to work 19 days this year to eclipse last years' pay as governor.

Watch the local news coverage.

The Boston 2024 project is privately funded and quick to stress that fact in news releases. On Monday, the organization announced the news of Governor Patrick's involvement and his hefty daily rate. Boston 2024 also published the salaries of the ten full time employees; seven of the ten will earn more than $100,000 per year.

Many who oppose the bid to bring the Olympic games to Boston also point out Boston 2024's political ties. In addition to the former governor, CEO top-earner Richard Davey ($300,000 per year) served as Duval's transportation secretary, the group's VP of engagement and external affairs, Nikko Mendoza ($120,000 per year) also worked under Patrick as his director of operations.

Boston 2024 is also spending more than $140,000 each month on consultants, many with ties to the former governor.

There are many questions about Boston's ability to secure the Olympic Games for 2024. One of the important issues, public opinion, is showing shrinking interest in bringing the games to "Beantown."

After showing strong support in previous polls, a recent survey from WBUR shows just 44 percent favor having the games in the city, with 46 percent opposing the plan.

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Follow Mike Opelka (@Stuntbrain) on Twitter.