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View Full Version : Host without a Contract? *SPOILERS - WORLDS*

loveskating
03-21-2007, 02:22 PM
It seems that the US wants to host Worlds in LA, but the ISU has no television contract with any entity in the USA for that time!

<ETA: Link contains Worlds Spoilers>

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_5483598
Artemis
03-21-2007, 02:44 PM
Warning, there are some Worlds results spoilers in that link.

But on the subject ... I don't know if Speedy's concerns are justified or not. On the one hand, networks generally dictate their own schedules when it comes to bidding for events like this, and it just hasn't come up yet. But OTOH, given the lack of major network coverage of Worlds in the US right now, maybe it is a legit concern. If it were me, even if USPN renewed its rights, I wouldn't a paid cable service "adequate" coverage.
Isk8NYC
03-21-2007, 03:10 PM
I love the way everyone refers to the ISU President as "Speedy." LOL
Is that because of the speedskating part of the organization, or his own speedskating experience?

Maybe US TV is secretly working with the WSF and doesn't want to play nice with the ISU.

It would be a big loss for the US to have the event moved out, but I wonder what the penalties would be for breaking contracts?
Artemis
03-21-2007, 04:39 PM
If they do end up pulling the event from the US, I hope they give it Australia, since they had Worlds taken away from them a few years back for what was, IMO, a rather spurious reason.
loveskating
03-22-2007, 11:27 AM
I love the way everyone refers to the ISU President as "Speedy." LOL ?

Not everyone.

Maybe US TV is secretly working with the WSF and doesn't want to play nice with the ISU.?

I wouldn't call it "US" TV...each station is independent and a fierce competitor, no? Perhaps not? After seeing their work at SLC regarding the pairs, they do seem to behave amoeba like, at the very least.

It would be a big loss for the US to have the event moved out, but I wonder what the penalties would be for breaking contracts?

Well, according to the article, there is no contract, rather more like when a buyer and seller agree but nothing is in writing.

What is not understood here is that with no American coverage, WE would not get any broadcast -- thus, as usual, in all these elite type shenanigans, the US public, people like me, would be the losers.

The other broadcasters from all over the world would be there, as usual, broadcasting to their own people.

Frankly, I can get CCTV for $29.99 (I have DIsh Network) and not have to listen to xenophobic denunciations and deamonizations of truly great skaters just because they are not Americans, so I could care less.

BTW, I love capitalism -- I love it when I can get what I want from a COMPETITOR when some sicko neurotic CEO begins to think he is Lord of the Universe and can do whatever he likes to the very customers and employees who made him rich in the first place.
Isk8NYC
03-22-2007, 02:14 PM
According to the Baltimore Sun, the same "ISU vs. TV standoff" is taking place in Canada.

This ARTICLE (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-sp.skating22mar22,0,281974.story?track=rss) also pointed out that Dick Button and Peggy Fleming are in the last year of their contracts as commentators. Renewal is up in the air right now.