Insurrection among U.S. figure skaters comes to Norfolk

[adrianchew]

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=53929&ran=181027

Local paper reports on the USFSA GC. Has more quotes from other individuals including Paul Wylie and Scott Wendland. The WSF seems to be amenable to doing all that's possible to ensure the USFSA's standing with the ISU will not be put in peril, while pushing for a further show of support from the USFSA.

[Schmeck]

Thanks for the link, Adrian!

I still don't understand why the USFSA thinks it will lose TV coverage/contracts/money if it supports the WSF. Do they really think the IOC is going to try to have an Olympics without figure skating? :roll:

Where do they think all the big bucks are found, where the major tours are, where the networks spend tons of money, where sponsors spend tons of money... All in the US! (I know, there's still a great European community for skating, but the big money is usually US money)

Do they think the US networks will pay big bucks for an Olympics without any American figure skaters? I'm thinking that they wouldn't bother to broadcast Worlds without American skaters, and the whole Grand Prix series would go down the tubes as well!

And I'm thinking that the USFSA has been offered something really big (and sneaky and stinky) by the ISU if it turns down the WSF. :x

Schmeck

[lotusland]

Interesting article. Thanks.

For all of those who have their doubts about how this will all play out ... just follow the $$$

No other association (USFSA) brings in this much $financial clout$. I'm sure no one would argue against the statement that North America has a huge FS fan base who have proven many times over that they both have the money are are willing to spend their money on figure skating. What was the "gate" at Worlds in France? What do you think it is going to be in Russia? How did that compare to the "gate" in Edmonton? Vancouver? Washington? And television rights? Its the North American broadcasters who pay the big pesos for those priveleges. If the USFSA can eventually be brought on side with the WSF, then, its just a matter of a house of cards collapsing. And, if the USFSA goes, can SC be far behind? Skate Canada isn't dumb, they know $$$ makes the world go 'round. They are just not too sure they want to be the first to "change boots."

All I have to say is, it is never easy to take the child out of the family. But other associations have done it with great success: luge & bobsled, football & rugby, etc. etc. ... why not speedskating & figure skating? Makes perfect sense to me.

It is just a matter of "tracing the figure carefully," taking one step at a time, . IMHO, it is inevitable.
;)

[Tigger]

I'm starting to think what needs to happen is for the fans to contact both the USFSA and Skate Canada to tell them, not only are we disgusted w/their tactics, but we won't be attending another USFSA/Skate Canada hosted GP events, GPF, 4CC, Nationals or Worlds so long as they continue to ignore what's wrong w/this sport. Why should we pay these incredably high prices for packages if it's going straight to them/ISU all high muckie mucks and not the athletes? Or support them in any matter at that?

Sigh....So terribly frustrated by it all and saddened too. :(