Slutskaya inks deal with CMM..

[Excidra]

Irina has signed with CMM. She has never had an agent so this could mean good things for Irina.
I hope she finally inks an endorsement deal of something

kind.http://www.skatingsource.com/irinasigns.shtml

[Mozart]

Is Michael Collins related to Tom Collins of COI? Is he Collins' son?

[AxelAnnie22]

Good for Her!! Why did she not have an agent before?

[Excidra]

My take on why Irina never had an agent.

Irina's training base is in Russia and usually comes to the states for a few months and she returns back to Russia. Take a look at CMM roster alomst all of them, with the exception of Plushy train in America.
Usually it's the coachs who take part in getting their student an agent ones he/she reaches the top. Irina's coach as most probably figured out by now, doesn't usually speak a lot, she is quite reserved. Lastly, I don't even think Irina was ever approached by any management company

[skatingfan3]

I thought Irina was with IMG, I guess I was wrong!

Deborah

[Carola5501]

Yes that is Tom's son.

[DancerFan]

I am pretty sure Slutskaya and Butyrskaya were both at least at one time IMG clients ... ?

[proam]

Yes, Irina was an IMG client, which made me happy because I had hopes that she would tour with SOI, not too happy now. :cry:

I always thought that Irina could develop into a great show skater with her bubbly personality and outgoingness (Did I invent a new word? ;) ).

Would love to know the story about why the change.

I don’t think COI set up, just cold spots, does Irina, the person, justice.

Also, Maria is or was an IMG client.

[Excidra]

I didn't know Irina was with IMG. I was under the impression that she had no agent.

As for SOI, I think she can still tour with them, why can't she? I got an email from SOI a few weeks ago and they told me that Irina would be a great addition to the cast, they are looking into it.

[Carola5501]

I would bet that Irina will never tour with SOI. The Collins family wants nothing to do with COI. As a matter of fact, they normally don't even want IMG clients on their tour. So Irina is now a COI performer. A lot of people think that the Collins family has a huge conflict of interest that might not be in the best interest of the skater, but the Collins family!

[Yuri]

I fail to see the difference between the relationship between COI and CMM and the one between SOI and IMG -- CMM and IMG both tend to put their own clients on their own tour, but both have had some skaters on tour that have separate agents (e.g. Michelle Kwan has Shep Goldberg and not CMM as her agent). Even before CMM was formed, there always seemed to be a close relationship between COI and Michael Rosenburg (many CMM agents used to work for Rosenburg), so this has actually been a long-standing arrangement.

Yuri

[Mozart]

Now that Irina has been signed by CMM, which is Michael Collins' agency, and his father runs COI, do you think it is likely that Irina will sign a long-term contract (say, for seven or so years) with COI?
That would be lovely for Irina to have a long-term contract.
I know that Irina does want to start a family though.......

[Excidra]

Mozart,

Even before Irina signed CMM she had contract with COI. I don't know for how many years but it seems like a few years, considering she's been doing the tour since 2000 and on.
But i'm hoping she doesn't sign with COI again ones her contract is up for renewal. It seems like she would be better off with SOI, where she could be presented as the leading lady and they pay better as well.

[Link]

But i'm hoping she doesn't sign with COI again ones her contract is up for renewal. It seems like she would be better off with SOI, where she could be presented as the leading lady and they pay better as well.


I highly doubt Irina would sign with SOI. For one thing, SOI tours extensively and exclusively in North America, meaning Irina would be away from her home and family for a good 9 months out of the year, instead of the 2 or 3 montsh for COI.

Also, Irina would not get top billing at SOI when Kat Witt is still there, or Oksana. Irina just doesn't have the name recognition in North America among common fans (not fans who post on skating boards).

[Mozart]

Hi Excidra. :)
I didn't know that SOI pays better than COI, since the skaters on COI get a very good salary.
Yes; since Irina lives in Moscow, she would be away too long from home if she signed with SOI......what with her husband's coaching job, and now, her mother's illness.
I'm glad to learn that Irina's Mom is back in Moscow and recuperating. :)

[Excidra]

Link...

I was told that Kitt wasn't on the tour anymore. Is she still there? If you watched Irina's performence at Hallmark, you would see that the kids and adults love her. Sandra saw it and I think she might jump on the opportunity.
Also, it's not just the common fans who come out to see the skating shows, it's skating fans who fill up the seats at these shows and i'm sure that they all know who Irina is.
Irina has been touring with COI for more than 6 years, i'm sure her name is out there. The majority of the people who pay to see COI know who Irina is, considering she is on the COI commercial and billboard.

[irene2020]

Also, Irina would not get top billing at SOI when Kat Witt is still there, or Oksana. Irina just doesn't have the name recognition in North America among common fans (not fans who post on skating boards).

Irina will never get top billing with COI either. So, if top billing was an issue, then irina wouldn't be skating with any tour in north america at all.

I think SOI is not interested in signing irina. SOI's strategy is to have a few stars to carry the show, while COI includes most skaters with a name. So, in some sense, SOI is more selective - not that I always agree with their selection. It is probably a lot harder for irina to get invited by SOI than by COI.

Also, in COI, the skater skates his/her own program where as SOI is more "showy" and less atheletic. Sandra and scott have never been a fan of irina's artistic ability. So, I don't see SOI pursuing irina.

As for travelling etc, SOI and COI is about the same. Both tours are completely in north america and both mean -> away from moscow. So, I don't see much issue here.

[skatingfan3]

Link,
Yes, SOI tour exclusively in North America but so is COI. SOI is about 3-1/2 months long but if you count the rehearsals, then it's a little over four months but not the NINE months you mentioned. CSOI is separate negotiation.

Irene2020,
It's true at COI, a skater skates to his/her program but it's the same exhibition (pro-am) program you see throughout the year. Sure, SOI is little more "showy" but no less athletic, it depends on the skater. Tara at her first SOI year, she did alot of different triples.

Deborah

[kwanette]

Regardless where Irina continues to skate, COI or SOI, I am happy for her that she got an endorsement. She has major family responsibilities with her mom and all...so good for her.

[skatingfan3]

I'll be happy for Irina if she gets some endorsement but endorsements are not easy to get in these days. I think Sasha Cohen has a better chance getting endorsement deals simply because she's an American (okay, half Ukranian) and they're both represented by CMM. Judging from the crowd responses from COI shows so far, Sasha has very audience reactions and therefore more recognizable than Irina.

Deborah