Just a few years ago it would be unthinkable a Korean company would be the major sponsor to the biggest US 'figure skating' show IN the US. Thanks to Yuna and her extraordinary athleticism, artistry and beauty she brought to the sport, makes her probably one of the most important figure skater in the COP era. And she did it without a strong federation or agency support.
Whatever criticism one might throw at her, she worked hard and deserves her success. She brought the money and opened new doors, to new audiences, new territories and she did it in her own way. She revitalized the sport to produce extravagant experiences, great stage ambiance and where skaters get acknowledgement as first class athletes flying all first class to skate at her shows and earn decent money doing so. These latest sponsorship on COC and SOI is just one of the perks that benefit the sport as well as her sponsors. What I am most thankful however is she's able bring back and reintroduce all the greats like Michelle Kwan, Irina, Kurt to new territories ambassadoring the sport at the world stage, which are just phenomenal accomplishments apart from being a truly exceptional skater.
I absolutely agree, and it's one of the reasons I admire her so much (in addition, of course, to her skating). Dick Button has often said that a great skater is one who leaves the sport better than he/she found it. It turns out that there are other ways to do this besides competing as a skater, as Scott Hamilton and YuNa prove conclusively.