How much interest can Alysa Liu revive in figure skating in the US?

[drivingmissdaisy]

Figure skating used to be an "Olympic sport." Could it be again, or has the U.S. moved on from those heady days of Nancy and Tonya?

I'm interested to know why you think it might not be. I think it is, because as you mentioned Olympic gold is the pinnacle of this sport whereas it isn't in hockey or tennis. Casual fans care about the sport during the Olympics, and I saw Alysa in the news more than I expected to. The popularity of US skating in the 1990s was unmatched and, unless our women are sweeping a Worlds podium like they did in 1991, it's won't ever be. And that's perfectly fine; the world changes and we all have do adapt to those changes.

 

[TontoK]

I think that there is a difference, though. Hockey is not an "Olympic sport." Hockey fans care about the Stanley cup (in so far as U.S. audiences care anything about hockey at all). Tennis players care about Wimbledon. Golfers care about the Masters.

Is breakdancing an Olympic sport or is it 1970s Bugaloo?

Figure skating used to be an "Olympic sport." Could it be again, or has the U.S. moved on from those heady days of Nancy and Tonya?

I don't know, my friend. I do see some commonalities. The Olympics created many short-term hockey fans. Is there anything the NHL could have done to encourage those fans to include allegiances to Team USA or Team Canada or Team Whoever over to Detroit or Boston or Wherever? I know the NHL had pre-game ceremonies honoring Olympians, but that was one night, and then we're done. My very minimal fanhood of hockey has come to an end for another four years.

I won't express my thoughts on breakdancing for concern of derailing the thread.

 

[Jennyf]

What I have found is that people are interested in Alysa, in her story, her personality, her as a person. I’m not seeing a huge renewed interest in the sport as a whole in the US. And I agree Peacock isn’t helping. I was a kid in the 90s during the peak of popularity, and every competition was on network tv. We had so much easy access to it. Amazing that in the time of streaming it’s almost harder to watch now than it was then. I expect FS to remain niche in the US.

 

[TontoK]

Also to be fair, the USA men's hockey team did not have good PR after their Olympic gold with the whole Kash Patel party and laughing at Donald Trump's joke about the women's hockey team. So I won't be surprised that the NHL viewership didn't go up, the potential new demographic that got interested in them through their Olympic journey (likely to be mostly women) simply got turned off and went away.

We can never know, of course, but I'm skeptical that the locker-room controversy had any meaningful impact on NHL viewership.

Now, I concede that's based on vibe, not data. I think I'm probably more of the demographic that would be likely to watch an NHL game - white, straight, male, and so forth, and it didn't impact my viewership at all. Didn't watch before, won't watch now. My guess is that the people most upset about the locker room are in a different demographic - one that is less likely to watch hockey, and I'm not sure I believe that demographic included a significant number of budding fans who would have become rabid viewers, absent the controversy. The real question in my mind is whether existing fans have ceased their support.

I know my friend @el henry is a hockey fan, and I'm curious whether she's still watching and supporting her team. And, I don't mean to put her on the spot - but I don't actually know many hockey fans in real life outside my sister, and NOTHING is keeping her from watching her hockey games, in person or on television. And, of course, if El continues to support her NHL favorite, it doesn't imply anything about her feelings surrounding the controversy. Conversely, if she's stopped, that doesn't imply anything either.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and I'm sure that the NHL would prefer as many butts in seats as possible.

 

[saine]

My guess is that the people most upset about the locker room are in a different demographic - one that is less likely to watch hockey, and I'm not sure I believe that demographic included a significant number of budding fans who would have become rabid viewers, absent the controversy. The real question in my mind is whether existing fans have ceased their support.

Some of those men play for Canadian teams. I have certainly been seeing a lot of discourse around Connor Hellebuyck this week in local Winnipeg media that has not been positive regarding the locker room or the Presidential Medal of Freedom. So there are existing fans that are not happy with him here.

 

[4everchan]

the biggest impact on NHL audience this year is most likely Heated Rivalry and not the Olympics

 

[el henry]

We can never know, of course, but I'm skeptical that the locker-room controversy had any meaningful impact on NHL viewership.

Now, I concede that's based on vibe, not data. I think I'm probably more of the demographic that would be likely to watch an NHL game - white, straight, male, and so forth, and it didn't impact my viewership at all. Didn't watch before, won't watch now. My guess is that the people most upset about the locker room are in a different demographic - one that is less likely to watch hockey, and I'm not sure I believe that demographic included a significant number of budding fans who would have become rabid viewers, absent the controversy. The real question in my mind is whether existing fans have ceased their support.

I know my friend @el henry is a hockey fan, and I'm curious whether she's still watching and supporting her team. And, I don't mean to put her on the spot - but I don't actually know many hockey fans in real life outside my sister, and NOTHING is keeping her from watching her hockey games, in person or on television. And, of course, if El continues to support her NHL favorite, it doesn't imply anything about her feelings surrounding the controversy. Conversely, if she's stopped, that doesn't imply anything either.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and I'm sure that the NHL would prefer as many butts in seats as possible.

Thank you my friend; I agree that nothing will stop the dedicated hockey fan, like your sister, from watching their sport (and to be fair, I am more of a rabid football fan, and more of a hockey enjoyer. That may have something to do with the fact that the Flyers have been terrible for years now). But similar events with Eagles players did not stop me for rooting for the Birds; disappointment in individual players doesn't affect my love for the team.

I do think the US men's hockey team may have whiffed their chance because I agree with @4everchan : "Heated Rivalry" is far more likely to bring in new hockey fans than the US men's team results, and Heated Rivalry fans will not be impressed with the US men.

But jumping off, maybe this is a good analogy here: very broadly speaking, in my experience, Alysa is the Heated Rivalry of figure skating here in the US. (I said broadly speaking and I mean broadly speaking, on vibes, not specifics. Don't @ me. . Are any of these new fans going to wax learnedly about flutzes and GOE and copyright. No.

But if they enjoy it enough, they may learn. As long as they don't post screenshots.

 

[rabidline]

But jumping off, maybe this is a good analogy here: very broadly speaking, in my experience, Alysa is the Heated Rivalry of figure skating here in the US. (I said broadly speaking and I mean broadly speaking, on vibes, not specifics. Don't @ me. . Are any of these new fans going to wax learnedly about flutzes and GOE and copyright. No. But if they enjoy it enough, they may learn. As long as they don't post screenshots.

This I agree with. And considering how Alysa is on track to surpass the combined total of the Heated Rivalry 2 leads' Instagram followers (she's at 6.7 million, each of the leads have 3.6 million)... it's the apt comparison. She's gone supernova.

 

[Sjs5572]

I could see Alysa partnering with Taylor Swift, Laufey, Lady Gaga, or another superstar to create a residency in Vegas or even Northern California. Basically, concerts with a rotating cast of A-list skaters and A-list singers.

 

[yfan1]

What I have found is that people are interested in Alysa, in her story, her personality, her as a person. I’m not seeing a huge renewed interest in the sport as a whole in the US.

This. I think people need to remember that there are several athletes who get "big" after the Olympics - some like Alysa become massive. But that almost never translates to a huge interest in the sport they compete in. It's just their celebrity that gets a boost.

I think of recent times, it's really only been Yuna Kim who's managed it, but even in that case, it happened because Figure Skating was non-existent in South Korea before her, and it really only managed to become a niche sport.

 

[TallyT]

This. I think people need to remember that there are several athletes who get "big" after the Olympics - some like Alysa become massive.

And also that most of those who get big, even massive... don't stay that way. It's only been a couple of weeks since the Olympics, remember. Let's all come back in a year's time or so and see where she - and the sport - are.

 

[TontoK]

Thank you my friend; I agree that nothing will stop the dedicated hockey fan, like your sister, from watching their sport.

I don't know what exactly it is about hockey, but once people get hooked, they are RABID.

My mother... southern, very genteel, sensible heels and always carried a good handbag.... almost a movie prototype of distinguished southern matron.... the last person on earth you might suspect of being a hockey fan... well.

In their 50's she and my father accepted a random invite from another couple to dinner and a hockey game following. A week later they had season's tickets to the local pro team (the level below NHL) and the local college team, and they never missed a home game. They traveled, and I mean thousands of miles, to watch them play when they made post-season tournaments. She knew all the players on the college team and became friendly with their mothers. She stocked up on huge sacks of Halloween candy solely so my Dad could stuff his coat pockets and give to kids at the game. If hockey was on TV, that's the station that was playing. When she died, her home teams held moments of silence for her.

My dad enjoyed the game well enough, but he was just along for the ride. She was addicted. It must be some genetic mutation, because my sister followed suit. I think that must be why the NHL is successful with a small fan base relative to the NFL and MLB. They may be small, but they are FULLY committed, and not afraid to drop some serious money.

Women's hockey wasn't a big thing then, and I wonder if she'd have liked it. My sister doesn't. I don't think she respects their fights. LOL. She inherited many fine qualities from my mother, but a dignified approach to sports is not one of them.

 

[TontoK]

Some of those men play for Canadian teams. I have certainly been seeing a lot of discourse around Connor Hellebuyck this week in local Winnipeg media that has not been positive regarding the locker room or the Presidential Medal of Freedom. So there are existing fans that are not happy with him here.

Have they boycotted games? Have they burned their season tickets in protest? I bet not many.

I don't pretend to understand the psychology, but nothing is keeping a hockey fan from his or her sport no matter how loud the local media might bray.

He'll make a game-winning save in an important game, and they'll carry him around the city on their shoulders.

 

[4everchan]

I will just drop this here in case some people think that Canadian hockey fans will just let that one go.

Todd: U.S. Olympic men's team leaves icy stain on hockey that won't go away

By being not-so-innocent props in an insult to the women's team and a Trump propaganda carnival, the players disrespected fans across Canada.

montrealgazette.com

 

[4everchan]

Another one.. more nuanced... Here are the words of Wab Kinew, the Premier of Manitoba

"The reason I'm a hockey parent is because I want [my kids] to learn life lessons," the premier said. "I want them to learn how to play on a team. I want them to learn how to overcome adversity. And I want them to learn how to be respectful.

"I think on that count, the Team USA men's team failed us."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/u-s-mens-hockey-team-trump-call-kinew-reaction-9.7109199

 

[4everchan]

and final words for me

As @el henry said, Heated Rivalry fans will not be pleased with what happened. Of course, there is the series which some of you may have watched... but those fans who have read the Long Game (the following book talking about Ilya and Shane) would not react too well to the kind of misogynistic behaviour shown. I won't get into details because this is already off topic but yeah... not a good sight.

I am one in four years hockey fan. I don't watch NHL matches unless it's the Habs playing in series so indeed, I don't get to watch much hockey nowadays But I surprised myself watching a couple games before the Olympics. I am turned off right now. Not interested.

To get back to the topic : in some ways, I almost hope that Alysa doesn't become so big a star in the USA that it wrecks her joy in skating. She skated with a lot of freedom and I hope that doesn't go away.

 

[rabidline]

OTT but genuinely wondering if fashion houses have already been contacting Alysa's management to get her as a brand ambassador or at least a friend of the house. But I also can see her actually declining offers that will limit her to one brand.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Singers are constantly heard on air. Famous actors constantly have their work played on TV.

Skating unfortunately does not have the requisite amount of media airtime and cultural discussion to keep the ball rolling non-stop. People need to be more in love with the sport itself for that to happen. For that we need better rules, so that better programs are being competed, and thus perhaps more people will want to watch competitions and will feel deeply emotional/entertained with figure skating programs in the same way they do about their favorite songs and films/television.

 

[crazydreamer]

I don't think US audience interest in figure skating is going to get much of a sustained bump from Alysa winning, but I do think there will be a decent number of young girls who will sign up for skating lessons who wouldn't otherwise have. And that's something because I'm not sure we have a lot of stars waiting in the wings at the moment.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

We shall wait and see. However, the problem for figure skating is: Alysa Liu is just one person. If general public loves Alysa Liu, then in order to watch one Alysa Liu, they have to sit through a couple of hours of other skaters. And pay a lot of money for that. After summer olympics I was amazed by Duplantis breaking his own records, but then he had a competition near my city and let me tell you - I quickly realized I will not be paying any money to watch him jump for a couple of minutes at best. With figure skating it's a little bit different, because it's not as repetitive as pole vaulting, so casual viewers can enjoy the music, dancing and whatnot without caring about points and there is something for everyone, but still - we have to wait and see if the clicks on Olympic channel or Alysa's social media translate to bigger audience. And most importantly, if anybody will care in a couple of months, because this season is almost done. Hitting "like" button is easy and free.
On a side note, I would say US figure skating is not exectly dead. All the media hype they created is kind of paying off - nationals were full, and so were Worlds. Maybe Alysa will be a great part of a bigger marketing campain run by USFS. Paradoxically, I would suspect Ilia not bringing gold home could also be great for marketing purposes. That sounds cynical, but I base my thoughts only on the approach that USFS used in the past few seasons.