Cinquanta faces reality - ready to slash TV rights fees...

[visaliakid]

International Skating Union prepared to slash TV rights fees - by Philip Hersh, Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-071211isu,1,6809629.story?ctrack=2&cset=true

Speedy finally chokes on a large piece of Reality pie!

 

[Mathman]

Reality, yes. But a sad omen nonetheless.

If the ISU cannot get any money from it's North American television deals, then everyone in skating is going to feel it in their pocketbooks. Will the ISU be able to continue to offer generous prize money for winners in the Grand Prix and World Championships?

 

[attyfan]

What about Japan and other countries who are just now going "skating crazy" Will they fill the revenue gap? Or, will $peedy have to whack someone? (and I wouldn't put it past him, either)

 

[Antilles]

I don't know if other countries generate TV revenues like North America. I'm sure no one comes even close to the U.S. if they don't have the revenues, they won't be able to keep prize money afloat.

 

[gracefulswan]

yea, good for the short term... but bad news in the long run. we'll be seeing the consequences soon... like next season i'd say. the contract expires next year i think.


the question is, who is picking up the slack? cinquanta must be getting more money elsewhere then we think. ?? he's not going to be getting anywhere near the money in future deals with the american TV networks.

 

[R.D.]

interesting article. I actually never thought he would get to this point, but I think desperation is kicking in. I wonder if he will stick with ESPN or try to switch to another (broadcast, it seems) network.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Regardless of any new deals, the American TV will not show a complete competition but a very abridged one.

Joe

 

[visaliakid]

For the foreseeable future I expect to see revenue-sharing contracts to be the modis operendi between networks and both the ISU and USFS. Revenues will be significantly lower and prize money slashed by more than 50 percent.

U.S. TV rights have provided the bulk of funding from all the nation's medias that hold membership in the International Skating Union. The other big bloc of monies that gets pumped into skating coverage in the U.S. and Olympics comes from the USOC in the form of grants.

Media generated revenue from American TV networks has been the major portion of the ISU pie (which not only funds ISU operations for figure skating, but Speed Skating as well.

The new reality poses real problems for the future development of international figure skating as well as it's ties to the Olympic movement. Mr. Cinquanta not only serves in the leadership position of the ISU, but holds a seat as member of the all powerful IOC executive committee. His ultimate goal is to succeed Mr. Rogge as head of the International Olympic Committee.

Since Figure Skating is the marque sport of the winter Olympic games, Speedy not only holds considerable sway on the IOC executive council, he also is under extreme scrutiny on his leadership of the ISU. Every move he makes as ISU President is going to affect if and when he will get the opportunity to eventually fill Rogge's shoes. He cannot afford to be remembered for being in charge of the demise of the winter Olympic's cash cow, figure skating. His period of most vulnerability is commencing now and how he succeeds or fails with his leadership of the sport thru these tough financial times will determine his future in the Olympic movement.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the interesting insight, Visalia Kid. Politics everywhere.

Actually, I think the whole Winter Olympics is in danger of falling by the wayside, not just figure skating,

 

[sillylionlove]

I have to agree. Television networks in the US want programs that bring them money via advertising. (ever see how much is costs to have a commercial aired during the super bowl?) They can't get that kind of money from figure skating and so therefore they don't want to air it on a big network. Frankly, I am surprised that NBC is airing any skating at all but I think it mainly has to do with the Olympics and not figure skating, per se. Look when they show figure skating on both NBC and ESPN on Sunday afternoon. Many people are usually watching football or doing other activities. In my opinion, in a few years, there won't be any figure skating on television.

In terms of the Olympics, I think they are failing too. Think about this...the marquee events of the summer Olympics are track and field and gymnastics. Who even wants to watch track and field, especially when in a few years the gold medal will be taken away because they were juicing so much (that would be using steroids). Why bother watching? Figure skating was popular when the Nancy/ Tonya thing happened. Scandel brings interest and interest bring viewers. Right now there is not interest to bring viewers to figure skating.

 

[krenseby]

Why bother watching? Figure skating was popular when the Nancy/ Tonya thing happened. Scandel brings interest and interest bring viewers.

Problem is though not only the absence of scandal, but also the absence of skaters having emotions. Except for Johnny Weir.

Think about it - Kimmie Meissner and Evan Lysacek - when have they ever talked about their aspirations, about their disappointments. I remember how even the reticent Kwan let the media know about how disappointed she felt in herself when she did worse than usual.

Now, Meissner's nonchalant attitude "let's wait and see how I do, I'll go out and do my best" is great for her on a personal level because it keeps her from being intimidated and freaked out at competitions. But on the level of viewer interest, people can't get that invested into her because it doesn't feel like there's much at stake.

I don't want Kimmie to change her positive attitude towards skating and turn her into a diva that feels that she deserves to be on the podium. But she should at least talk with more passion about her training, her motivation, her outlook. Discuss the jumps she is struggling with in practice. Talk about what she was going for in a competition, what she missed, and why.

Sasha Cohen did all of that. At least with Sasha, we sometimes saw past her PR "take it one day at a time and I am happy to be just competing" comments and got a glimpse of what's on her mind. With Kimmie: hardly ever.

(Evan is a bit better, but he tries to come across too much like a hero. "Har Har Har (chest-thump) I 've been going for the quad... It didn't work out, but I am gonna get it."

Johnny, for all of his wackiness and political incorrectness and a bunch of comments bordering on the offensive, at least shares enough about his life as a competitor to get the press and fans talking.

Television viewers of skating need something to talk about: they need to know the personalities behind the skaters.

 

[dancemaster]

Problem is though not only the absence of scandal, but also the absence of skaters having emotions. Except for Johnny Weir.

Think about it - Kimmie Meissner and Evan Lysacek - when have they ever talked about their aspirations, about their disappointments. I remember how even the reticent Kwan let the media know about how disappointed she felt in herself when she did worse than usual.

Now, Meissner's nonchalant attitude "let's wait and see how I do, I'll go out and do my best" is great for her on a personal level because it keeps her from being intimidated and freaked out at competitions. But on the level of viewer interest, people can't get that invested into her because it doesn't feel like there's much at stake.

I don't want Kimmie to change her positive attitude towards skating and turn her into a diva that feels that she deserves to be on the podium. But she should at least talk with more passion about her training, her motivation, her outlook. Discuss the jumps she is struggling with in practice. Talk about what she was going for in a competition, what she missed, and why.

Sasha Cohen did all of that. At least with Sasha, we sometimes saw past her PR "take it one day at a time and I am happy to be just competing" comments and got a glimpse of what's on her mind. With Kimmie: hardly ever.

(Evan is a bit better, but he tries to come across too much like a hero. "Har Har Har (chest-thump) I 've been going for the quad... It didn't work out, but I am gonna get it."

Johnny, for all of his wackiness and political incorrectness and a bunch of comments bordering on the offensive, at least shares enough about his life as a competitor to get the press and fans talking.

Television viewers of skating need something to talk about: they need to know the personalities behind the skaters.

what a great comment ice skating needs life..

 

[yelyoh]

"Mr. Cinquanta not only serves in the leadership position of the ISU, but holds a seat as member of the all powerful IOC executive committee. His ultimate goal is to succeed Mr. Rogge as head of the International Olympic Committee."

Should that happen it will prove that cream isn't the only thing that rises to the surface

.:disapp::disapp::disapp:

 

[attyfan]

"Mr. Cinquanta not only serves in the leadership position of the ISU, but holds a seat as member of the all powerful IOC executive committee. His ultimate goal is to succeed Mr. Rogge as head of the International Olympic Committee."

Should that happen it will prove that cream isn't the only thing that rises to the surface

.:disapp::disapp::disapp:

As I understand it, the ratings for the Torino Olys were surprisingly low -- so, if the IOC wants someone to take a declining event and completely flush it down the toilet, they can find someone with experience in doing just that!

 

[Winnipeg]

Mr. Cinquinta should be replaced completely. Why is he in charge of the ISU when the majotiy of funds comes through USA tv and sponsors (or am I wrong there).

He has shown lack of leadership & integrity in the shadow of the SLC scandal, there appears to be resurfacing judging issues (see thread on isu re JGP dance), and he seems to have a complete lack of business acumen.:scowl::scowl:

Hasn't he been in that position too long, what is the term for this position and when can we expect a change. Can anyone please convince me why he should remain in such a critical position for the sport? How has his performance in his role contributed to the sport of FS?

 

[blue dog]

The only way for them to ever replace Chihuahua is if the skaters left the ISU. If judges and certain members leave, he will just make it out to seem that they are not in it for the good of the skaters. If the skaters stopped skating in ISU competitions, people will start to wonder.

Of course, the WSF would've been better had skaters jumped on the band wagon, but as it stands, I think the skaters don't want to rock the boat.

It's not just the fans and "activist" judges who will take the sport away from the clutches of Chihuahua--but the skaters must do so, as well.

 

[Winnipeg]

The only way for them to ever replace Chihuahua is if the skaters left the ISU. If judges and certain members leave, he will just make it out to seem that they are not in it for the good of the skaters. If the skaters stopped skating in ISU competitions, people will start to wonder.

Of course, the WSF would've been better had skaters jumped on the band wagon, but as it stands, I think the skaters don't want to rock the boat.

It's not just the fans and "activist" judges who will take the sport away from the clutches of Chihuahua--but the skaters must do so, as well.

good point...............