Lysacek out of Grand Prix; at odds with USFS

[Buttercup]

Ruminating on this, it feels like a strange turn of events. Maybe I overanalyze everything, but the way this was handled is really circumspect, particularly since I viewed Lysacek as someone who went out of his way to work with his federation. When Wier’s persona was getting too difficult for the USFSA to handle, he was the alternative. So while withdrawing doesn’t particularly bother me, the digs – both in the Hersh article and the twitter comment, surprised me

That was my reaction, too - for Evan Lysacek, the USFS's well-behaved golden boy, to be posting this sort of stuff seemed really weird. I don't recall even Johnny being that bold.

Uhh, no. It’s not bold for the hosts to use those who are slated to compete in their advertising. At all. Bold would be Trophee Eric Bompard, which is using past competitors who aren’t NECESSARILY slated to compete (Samuelson/Bates, Takahiko Kozuka) to advertise, and even that doesn’t bother me (Lysacek does not feature in the advertisement, though – he’s never competed at TEB and apparently isn’t viewed as a draw for the French crowd, which made me laugh a little).

I think that's more of a highlight reel/"previously on TEB" type thing, I didn't get the sense it's meant to advertise the skaters who are in the video - if that were the case, why use Samuelson/Bates, Zhang/Toth, or, if I'm not mistaken, Brodeur/Mattatall, none of whom are particularly high profile or still competing together? The only skaters actually named in the link are the French stars - Amodio, Joubert, and P/B.

I doubt Evan Lysacek would be considered much of a draw for the TEB crowd.

[SkateFiguring]

Looking at the Mens lineup at SA, I wonder if the USGSA put most of their eggs in Lysacek basket for drawing the crowd. Either Abbott or Rippon should interest more American fans than at least Mahbanoozadeh if not Dornbush. Were they so confident of Lysacek's participation?

[waxel]

Evan will never seriously return to competitive skating. Don't expect to see him at Nationals either. Unless he sees the Men tanking during the earlier season, he might possible slide in and save the day for one more national title. But I don't think he's willing to put his celebrity in danger by failing. He's got his OGM. He doesn't really need anything else. 2 OGMs? Priceless. But doubftul

[Jaana]

Evan needs to ride off in the sunset with is OGM and call it a day. Even with the US men rebuilding they are soon going to leave him in the dust especially with these young skaters coming up like Jason Brown and Joshua Farris. Heck Evan couldn't even beat Jeremy Abbott in the last two Nationals he competed in.

Much more important is that Abbott as the National champion could not beat Evan at any Worlds and Olympics...

I have understood that Evan did not confirm his participation in Skate America, the matter was open all the time.

[Buttercup]

Much more important is that Abbott as the National champion could not beat Evan at any Worlds and Olympics...

I have understood that Evan did not confirm his participation in Skate America, the matter was open all the time.

The 2010 Nationals loss must have seemed important to Lysacek, considering he complained to the media about his scoring.

As for whether or not he was entered for this year's SA, if he was uncertain about doing the GP season, he could have asked the USFS to hold a TBA slot for him until he could finalize his participation, instead of asking for two assignments.

[ImaginaryPogue]

I think that's more of a highlight reel/"previously on TEB" type thing, I didn't get the sense it's meant to advertise the skaters who are in the video - if that were the case, why use Samuelson/Bates, Zhang/Toth, or, if I'm not mistaken, Brodeur/Mattatall, none of whom are particularly high profile or still competing together? The only skaters actually named in the link are the French stars - Amodio, Joubert, and P/B.

I doubt Evan Lysacek would be considered much of a draw for the TEB crowd.

I know, I just snickered at the idea of Zhang/Toth being more of a draw than Lysacek and had to mention it

[Mathman]

I guess what I am most curious about is how much money Douglas Razzano gets for stepping in.

[CARA]

I guess what I am most curious about is how much money Douglas Razzano gets for stepping in.

[seniorita]

I have understood that Evan did not confirm his participation in Skate America, the matter was open all the time.

He could have kept a TBA position, anyone would speculate that it would be him or maybe not, but there wouldnt be any harm if he competed or not, and like Yuna and Plush he could have made an announcement later that he wouldnt participate in GP. Not that I really care but he by putting his name there he used the comeback right already in vain as someone else said. I m surprised of what he said on twitter, this is something maybe Weir would do.

Btw I understood why he wont participate at SA but for TEB the USA federation would pay the appearance fee or the French one? I have no idea how these things work. Actually when the Gps participation went out I was surprised he chose TEB, I dont remember him there ever before.

[SkateFiguring]

I guess what I am most curious about is how much money Douglas Razzano gets for stepping in.

to Mathman for so often expressing my thoughts in such succinct humour!

eta. Razzano calls this the best birthday gift ever given to him. I guess he's pretty glad USFSA did not ask him to pay entry fees. Did they?

[gmyers]

2009 skate america was so easy for Lysacek. No one of any note was really invited. You can say Verner should have been tough but he was so incosistent at 2008 worlds he went from 4th to 20th. He did come in 4th at 2009 worlds but was not consistent. Then you had no Japanese invited and the other Americans Mroz and Bradley. I bet Kozuka was too much of a threat. If Kozuka had not been invited I bet it might have been a little different. He's a previous winner of Lysacek and maybe next year if there is no one strong like in 2009 it will be different.

[sorcerer]

...Btw I understood why he wont participate at SA but for TEB the USA federation would pay the appearance fee or the French one? I have no idea how these things work. Actually when the Gps participation went out I was surprised he chose TEB, I dont remember him there ever before.

Maybe he had planned to perform to "American in Paris" .... you know he has already performed to Rhapsody in Blue.

I thought the same with you about the failure of Evan's logic in withdrawing also from TEB.
"I am in the best shape of my life," "I am extremely trained and eager to compete at Skate America, but ..." says he.
I've had an image of Evan as a man of work ethic devoting himself to this sport.
I hope he reconsiders and participates, which is the best way to guard his image, regardless of winning or losing to other top skaters .... that would keep him a good sport.

[CoyoteChris]

I must say it would be interesting to know how much Razzano is getting over and above the financial support he receives from the Memorial fund and USFSA already.
For that matter, what is Joelle getting compared to Alissa? Hubbell with a new partner vs D/W? Who or what committee decides? Wouldnt you love to be a mouse in that room!

[SkateFiguring]

Anyone knows how the SA ticket sales are going? I wonder if there was a contingent clause in Lysacek's contract related to the actual sales which is why the disagreement concluded so late.

[museksk8r]

I remember when Evan was talking how he conducting himself in a way to push the sport to become more popular and now he finally has the power to do so and there's a money issue.

I remember him saying that too, but also over the years I've formed the opinion of Evan that he should have an "Insert trained PR BS statement here" note attached over his mouth. He's just as self-serving as most people in the world.