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

[Mathman]

Paradoxically, I would suspect Ilia not bringing gold home could also be great for marketing purposes.

Can you explain that a little more?

 

[skatesofgold]

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.

Hockey has been my favorite of the team sports since I saw The Mighty Ducks as a kid and Miracle as a teen, but I didn't become obsessive until 2010, but like regular season NHL hockey just isn't the same as Olympic hockey. It's different when every game matters. I would almost consider myself a fair weather fan because the Chicago Blackhawks are my team and they haven't really done well since they won their last Stanley Cup in 2015. It's even harder now being a fan knowing some of the things I know about the community, but all of the sports I follow have some darkness, so I can't say I'm really surprised.

 

[4everchan]

all of the sports I follow have some darkness, so I can't say I'm really surprised.

it's not just the sports.. it's society.. it's everything.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

Can you explain that a little more?

Sure. Imagine alternative ending: Ilia goes to the olymlic games as a heavy favorite and he wins Gold, as the prophecy foretold. American fans are proud, Ilia's fans are happy, figure skating fans are not surprised. End of story. See you in four years.
But he didn't win gold, even though every commentator on earth was sure he would. Snoop Dogg showed up, all the attention was on the Quad God, olympic channel was full of his shenanigans, even the most random viewers were aware of him. And then he crumbled under pressure. Casual viewers don't care about the quad axel, or any other quad for that matter, they can't tell jumps apart and they can't count that fast, but! They can feel sympathy for a young man who had his worst moment broadcasted live and witnessed by milions. I've seen it all over my feed: the support from people who couldn't care less about figure skating. The interest was there. Even my family was asking me, if he is truly as good as the hype suggested. And now we have a story to continue: can he get the Gold in four years time? Can he redeem himself and stay on top? We know he is not an underdog and that he will probably win (with ease) many more titles in upcoming seasons, but new fans don't know that - they can root for him, show him support and cheer on him, because they had different first impression. And he showed himself as a great human being - that helps a ton too. If we want to promote figure skating by promoting one figure skater - this is the time to do this. This is the time to slap Ilia's face everywhere, while people still care and are willing to support him and show up for him. His next win could bring a lot of joy to new fans.

Edit: important side note: I'm not saying we *should* do that. I'm saying I can see it working. Like, you know, theoretically.

 

[4everchan]

sure but does Ilia want to have his face everywhere ? I mean, he crumbled under immense pressure, some of which came from his own actions. For instance, tagging innocently yourself as quad god looked funny, something a teenager would do as half a joke and half pride of his achievements... but that takes a whole new look when it's time to deliver god-like performances. So, while I agree that the story is good for interest revival, as everyone loves a good redemption story, there will be pressure. Immense pressure again. Will Ilia and his team know this time how to manage it ? Even the choice of program added pressure this time around. Also, the constant discussion about will he or will he not do a quad axel. How many did he land at the Olympic Games across the four programs ? I am wondering if Ilia and his team are able to build an olympic cycle avoiding the pitfalls next time.. and managing a healthy schedule would be good, for starters.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

sure but does Ilia want to have his face everywhere ? I mean, he crumbled under immense pressure, most of which came from his own actions.

Of course, those are all important questions. And that's the problem with expecting one skater to make figure skating popular again. I wouldn't say it's a good approach in general.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Of course, those are all important questions. And that's the problem with expecting one skater to make figure skating popular again. I wouldn't say it's a good approach in general.

If anything, we have more people giving figure skating a try at my multi-sports club after they'd watched dance at the Olympics because of controversial news stories. Sort of the 1990s' Nancy and Tonya effect revisited. We doubt if many -- or any -- will last, now that they've learned they have to work through the pattern dances first and don't get to jump straight into free dance, but they plan to watch "the rematch" at Worlds. After that, I assume they'll go back to watching tennis and golf. Maybe curling, since there were a few unusual news stories there too.

 

[el henry]

I do not expect Alysa of and in herself to make figure skating as popular in the US as, say, football. No one is scheduling US Nats against the Super Bowl

I tend to side eye IG followers as proof of anything, but 6.7 million followers? 6.5 of which are post Olympics? That ain't all bots and hype, in fact most of it is decidedly anti-hype. This one feels different to me. And it feels like it may last more than a minute, just because it is more than oh yippee they won Olympic gold. It is "I like this skater as a person". (again, I don't care if that means anything, or should mean anything, for scoring or rating skaters as skaters. Talk to the paw. I'm talking popularity)

Some of the "I love Alysa" followers may actually watch figure skating as a whole, and like it. Some of the five year olds who like two tone hair may try skating. And that's more interest than we have now. I have no idea if it would be sustainable. I hope so.

 

[NanaPat]

Stars on Ice ticket sales would be a good initial indication of whether interest in Alysa is going to translate into support for figure skating as a whole.

I noticed that the US and Canada have completely separate casts and schedules for SOI this year after a few years of a mixed-nationality core cast, with perhaps additional skaters added for each country.

 

[Remilia]

sure but does Ilia want to have his face everywhere ? I mean, he crumbled under immense pressure, some of which came from his own actions. For instance, tagging innocently yourself as quad god looked funny, something a teenager would do as half a joke and half pride of his achievements... but that takes a whole new look when it's time to deliver god-like performances. So, while I agree that the story is good for interest revival, as everyone loves a good redemption story, there will be pressure. Immense pressure again. Will Ilia and his team know this time how to manage it ? Even the choice of program added pressure this time around. Also, the constant discussion about will he or will he not do a quad axel. How many did he land at the Olympic Games across the four programs ? I am wondering if Ilia and his team are able to build an olympic cycle avoiding the pitfalls next time.. and managing a healthy schedule would be good, for starters.

Ilia has talked many times about wanting to increase the popularity of the sport, so I think he would be down for it Ilia will be four years older in 2030 and going into would have the experience that he didn't this go around, so I think he'd be fine.For me, the main concern is that he doesn't psych himself out feeling pressured to prove that what happened at the Olympics was a fluke and he's still the best
But I don't see how his schedule is unhealthy, unless you mean in regards to the ice shows

 

[Jammers]

I think Alysa already has made a difference in just how many young girls watching her have now decided they want to learn how to skate. Like Yuna in her country it might take a decade or so but the next great US Lady who wins an Olympic Gold medal might have been inspired to skate watching Alysa in Milan.

 

[TontoK]

Stars on Ice ticket sales would be a good initial indication of whether interest in Alysa is going to translate into support for figure skating as a whole.

I noticed that the US and Canada have completely separate casts and schedules for SOI this year after a few years of a mixed-nationality core cast, with perhaps additional skaters added for each country.

I'm not much of a show/gala watcher, but I do think this data will be interesting.

Will attendance rise if Alysa is skating? Will it still rise even if she's not there?

 

[yfan1]

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.

At some point, my small group of friends and I used to write bullshit 'analysis' of programs by some of our favorite skaters, be it Yuna or Mao or Hanyu or Sui/Han... I feel like I haven't done that for so long, because I just no longer can bring myself to do that. I think what you said here is the reason why.

 

[Arigato]

 

[Mathman]

I do not expect Alysa of and in herself to make figure skating as popular in the US as, say, football. No one is scheduling US Nats against the Super Bowl

I looked it up. As of 1994, the #1 all-time watched TV show int he U.S. was the final episode of MASH and #2 was the 1994 Olympic Ladies' Free Skate (unless you count the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, which is technically a "news event" rather than a TV show.)

Now, of the top 20, 19 are Super Bowls.

Edit. Following up, I Googled, "Did Neil Armstrong inspire children to become astronauts?" The answer, "Yes, the 1969 moon landing inspired countless children and young adults to pursue careers in space, science and engineering."

 

[Mathman]

At some point, my small group of friends and I used to write bullshit 'analysis' of programs by some of our favorite skaters,..

You know what I really miss? Back in the day every once in a while someone would post a complete breakdown of someone's program, with every counter and Mohawk duly indexed. They went on for pages!

 

[yfan1]

You know what I really miss? Back in the day every once in a while someone would post a complete breakdown of someone's program, with every counter and Mohawk duly indexed. They went on for pages!

We just all gave up. I think I'm the lone loser of that group who even still watches skating.

Skating isn't really an art to have 'analysis' written about it, but we had fun watching and engaging with it. Some of it was snarky, most of it was sincere. Yeah, some of us even used to try and break down step sequences... Now, we just can't be bothered. Just not having fun.

 

[noskates]

I haven't read through the 3 pages of this post so will just answer the question in the title. I have quite a few friends that snicker at me when I say I'm going to Boston or San Jose, or wherever to see a skating competition. They think the $$$ would be better spent going to Europe or somewhere exotic. Whatever. But I do have to say since the Olympics they all want to talk about Alysa. I had a Nationals sweatshirt on at the grocery store and several people stopped and asked if I had seen Alysa skate. (I live in St. Louis and the media coverage was great!) My son watches football, soccer and baseball religiously but asked if I knew where he could watch Alysa's gold medal skate. So the answer is YES Alysa has created a new interest in figure skating at least in my circle. Will it last? Who knows. But for now I would say she's engendered a lot of interest in the sport that wasn't there before. Stars on Ice is also coming here in May and I know of many people who have purchased tickets already that aren't what I would call traditional skating fans. It's all good!

 

[Mathman]

One interesting thing to me is how this whole thing exploded form nothing (or from not all that much of anything, anyway) into this cyclone of hope and speculation. When it comes to the Olympics, it is better to win than to finish second.

Kaori Sakamoto might have skated a touch closer to her best and won. Ami Nakai with two triple Axels might have emerged as the child wonder of the games. Adeliia Petrosian might have come in with big guns ablaze. Amber Glenn might have avoided disaster in the SP and ended up the highest placed American. Everything would be different.

But it's not, and here we are.

 

[rabidline]

Sure. Imagine alternative ending: Ilia goes to the olymlic games as a heavy favorite and he wins Gold, as the prophecy foretold. American fans are proud, Ilia's fans are happy, figure skating fans are not surprised. End of story. See you in four years.
But he didn't win gold, even though every commentator on earth was sure he would. Snoop Dogg showed up, all the attention was on the Quad God, olympic channel was full of his shenanigans, even the most random viewers were aware of him. And then he crumbled under pressure. Casual viewers don't care about the quad axel, or any other quad for that matter, they can't tell jumps apart and they can't count that fast, but! They can feel sympathy for a young man who had his worst moment broadcasted live and witnessed by milions. I've seen it all over my feed: the support from people who couldn't care less about figure skating. The interest was there. Even my family was asking me, if he is truly as good as the hype suggested. And now we have a story to continue: can he get the Gold in four years time? Can he redeem himself and stay on top? We know he is not an underdog and that he will probably win (with ease) many more titles in upcoming seasons, but new fans don't know that - they can root for him, show him support and cheer on him, because they had different first impression. And he showed himself as a great human being - that helps a ton too. If we want to promote figure skating by promoting one figure skater - this is the time to do this. This is the time to slap Ilia's face everywhere, while people still care and are willing to support him and show up for him. His next win could bring a lot of joy to new fans.

Edit: important side note: I'm not saying we *should* do that. I'm saying I can see it working. Like, you know, theoretically.

This is interesting and I thought about it as well after the Men FS disaster.

Alysa and Ilia each have different target markets - they're kind of similar to KPOP girl groups and KPOP boy groups. The girl groups get the more massive share of general public attention and love but get left behind when younger groups rise up, the boy groups have less general public support but have a bigger dedicated fandom who are very very loyal regardless of output.

As a general observer, when it comes to young men, the fastest way to gain loyal fans is to make the fans feel protective and sympathetic for them. The more the fans feel that the men need to be "protected" , the more loyal they are. Ilia's problem was that he clearly had so many points ahead of his competitors, there's really nothing to "protect" him from. With that sort of meltdown, ironically, he may have endeared himself to many people than if he had won it routinely. There are basically a lot of sympathy angles they can take with him from this Olympics, including spinning his individual loss as a sacrifice he made for the team win.