What would it take to bring back professional figure skating competitions?

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Are we talking about Pro Skating as marketed to a North American audience like Ice Wars back then?
I think you need people from a country where figure skating holds any weight. In Japan they are vested in it, and the Japan Open already exists — with solid veterans and a format tailored to team Japan winning (weighting singles over pairs/ice dance) so there was a home interest. In Russia pro-ams would work from past/current Russian skaters because the sport is revered over there.

In the United States, it just wouldn't work because the interest isn't there (although skaters like Malinin and Liu have reinvigorated viewership to some extent). But North America just isn't a figure skating continent. An international star like Hanyu or a homegrown talent like Malinin or Chock/Bates showing up wouldn't garner much interest because the sport simply does not captivate North American audiences the way it used to. I wouldn't be surprised if an Ice Wars again held in America had a crowd comprising more Japanese fans than American fans.

And made for TV competitions specials like Ice Wars and other pro-ams don't work in an age where entertainment is now consumed online in bite-sized amounts. Heck, I don't usually even watch basketball/baseball/tennis/soccer/hockey games in full any more (except maybe playoffs) when I can watch a 10 minute highlight reel/game recap on Youtube. Even skating I'll watch on my own time instead of real-time. I sure as heck am not watching a 1 hour pro-Am over two separate SP/FS nights, unless there is a notable performance(s) (that I can just watch on Youtube later on anyways).

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

All right, so what exactly is the difference between a modern ISU competition and "a professional competition"? Given that both are judged, commented, and have winners and losers.

Just trying to figure out what you want.

Professional competitions are basically competitions where the jumps aren't as significant (certainly no levels or IJS) - and in the 6.0 era they did 10's to make it more viewer-friendly. Often the scores were not reflective of the skates, and there was a huge popularity/favouritism aspect to it. You would get the occasional amazing upset (I remember as a kid being thrilled by Rory Flack Burghart and her backflips and great spins and split jumps, and loved when she upset the more seasoned/accoladed/Olympic skaters).

It was basically a fluff competition with watered down elements and more focus on performance/audience engagement. And sometimes a skater would surprise (like Kurt continually attempting, and often hitting, a 3A even after turning pro).

Japan Open actually changed the game a bit by incorporating IJS into the judging - but it usually meant the pros (veteran skaters) would do poorly - with exceptions like Oda's YMCA. I did however always find it interesting to see if pro/retired skaters would be able to push themselves to meet the features/technical demands of achieving spin/footwork levels.

But usually pro am skates are halfway between an exhibition and a competition. I mean, I know there are those folks who gripe about too many quads/technical skaters winning over weak/low-tech jumpers who have great SS/artistry... so maybe we should have ProAms come back just to placate their wishes.

 

[Anna K.]

Allright, I googled "World Professional Figure Skating Championships". Google defined it as a "TV program"

Also, the current rights holder of World Professional Figure Skating Championships brand is the French company Agence Combes, which purchased the rights in 2016 (according to Wikipedia).

So I guess, if you want it to return to Maryland , the first thing to do would be purchasing the rights from the current owner.

 

[Anna K.]

I also asked AI if referring to Olympic athletes as "amateurs" would be fine today. The search gave me some unsurprising results:

'Amateur' a 4-letter word when referring to Olympic athletes

Maybe labeling a similar TV program "professional championships" is not that good idea in 2026 regardless of whatever good memories the North American audience might have about it?

 

[4everchan]

Japan Open actually changed the game a bit by incorporating IJS into the judging - but it usually meant the pros (veteran skaters) would do poorly - with exceptions like Oda's YMCA. I did however always find it interesting to see if pro/retired skaters would be able to push themselves to meet the features/technical demands of achieving spin/footwork levels.

Rochette did very well at Japan Open.

 

[Anna K.]

I also asked AI if referring to Olympic athletes as "amateurs" would be fine today. The search gave me some unsurprising results:

'Amateur' a 4-letter word when referring to Olympic athletes

Maybe labeling a similar TV program "professional championships" is not that good idea in 2026 regardless of whatever good memories the North American audience might have about it?

In this context, what word should replace "amateur" in the Dick Button's quote regarding the tech content if it was adopted for today?

"In the amateur world, they count your triple jumps, and if you don't do enough they forget about your other skating. We do not make our competitors prove their merit. We let them present creative programs with as many or as few triple jumps as they wish."

"The ISU world" and replacing "triple jumps" with "quads jumps"? Although there are more than just quad jumps counted in the ISU world...

 

[el henry]

In this context, what word should replace "amateur" in the Dick Button's quote regarding the tech content if it was adopted for today?

"In the amateur world, they count your triple jumps, and if you don't do enough they forget about your other skating. We do not make our competitors prove their merit. We let them present creative programs with as many or as few triple jumps as they wish."

"The ISU world" and replacing "triple jumps" with "quads jumps"? Although there are more than just quad jumps counted in the ISU world...

I think, although I have not read the article, that Dick's use of triples could be analogized to quads. Competitions in the 80s and 90s had more than triples as well.

Because we have a different world, where skaters now can be paid for what was amateur competitions, that dichotomy does not work. What would replace it? Artistic skating competition? But there were big jumpers relying on their big jumps in the pro circuit, so that is difficult.

Jumping off, for me, pearl clutching about what is and is not sport (if I hear One. More. Time. "It's a Sport!" to justify overrating of jumps as elements in programs, I will not be responsible for my old lady cyber-cane) does not assist the discussion. Would the general public watch more "artistic" more "experimental" more "fun" programs if they were presented as part of a completion? If they were judged, with winners and losers however loosely defined, and commented on as programs?

I don't know. It may be that figure skating is just too niche for that to happen in most of the world. That is the question.

 

[Anna K.]

I think, although I have not read the article, that Dick's use of triples could be analogized to quads. Competitions in the 80s and 90s had more than triples as well.
Because we have a different world, where skaters now can be paid for what was amateur competitions, that dichotomy does not work. What would replace it? Artistic skating competition? But there were big jumpers relying on their big jumps in the pro circuit, so that is difficult.

How about "show skating competition"?
The term doesn't drag us back into the dated dichotomy. And it's not about the fact if a skater has or has not the jumps. It's about: everyone has jumps, but can this skater sell the show value of the jump? Or, if the skater doesn't have jumps, can this skater sell the show value of everything else?

[..]if I hear One. More. Time. "It's a Sport!" to justify overrating of jumps as elements in programs, I will not be responsible for my old lady cyber-cane

An old lady cyber-cane... Sounds good. I should get one for me

Would the general public watch more "artistic" more "experimental" more "fun" programs if they were presented as part of a completion? If they were judged, with winners and losers however loosely defined, and commented on as programs?

I don't like the fact that the answer is YES but it's "yes". We have a huge evidence in form of multiple successful talent/reality shows that confirm: yes, the general public watch music, dance, other talent stuff (including skating as we see from Dancing With Stars On Ice) in much bigger numbers when it comes with hype, winners-losers etc. regardless if it's pop, classic, art-house, or just cr*p as it happens.

So the question would be: is there a space for more figure skating talent/reality shows?
Well... Why not?

I actually view the old ProComps as a very solid grandparent of modern TV talent shows. But today, it would need update in everything: wording, definitions, format, type of hype... everything.

 

[chepe]

Don't even think about Yuzuru, he's damn successful financially, thriving artistically, very busy and quite happy and fulfilled with what he's doing on his own. He made it quite clear he has no intention to go back, or even look back, lol. If he needs an extra million or two, the word has it, all he has to do is set up a photoshoot or two,... takes a day or two, there is always a queue to get him do it, and he seems to be having quite some fun when modelling. He does not take part in other people's shows now, unless for charity or to support local facilities in his home city.... So good luck with negotiations but I do not think he even has a price

Yuzuru might be too expensive, though I doubt he really charges "a million or two" per appearence. That's what Roger Federer reportedly charges, and he's a billionaire. And Yuzuru's somewhat in class of his own among figure skaters when it comes to financial success. Very few figure skaters are millionaires. In tennis, player who loses in first round of a Grand slam gets more money than World Champion in figure skating.

The point is that for such a pro comp to be successful you would need several close-to-Yuzu-level stars to take part, and these are very few and far between.

True, but you want such names for a regular ice show, too. Olympic/WCh medallist level: you have to pay them either way.

 

[Magill]

True, but you want such names for a regular ice show, too. Olympic/WCh medallist level: you have to pay them either way.

That's right. So you'd have to convince these former World and Olympic champions and medallists that taking part in a fluff competition where they can very probably badly lose (only one winner, remember?) is somehow better for their image and PR, and more efficient way to earn money for their budgets, than simply starring in a show skating a program or two for the same pay... Unless you pay them substantially more than they could make from a show, I don't see them rushing in. Currently competing athletes and less decorated pro show skaters, maybe. Real former greats, no.
My opinion only, anyone can always try and prove me wrong, of course.

Yuzuru might be too expensive, though I doubt he really charges "a million or two" per appearence. That's what Roger Federer reportedly charges, and he's a billionaire.

That's not what I said, I said Yuzu currently does not take part in other people's shows so I guess he does not have a set appearance price at all. "Million or two" were actually referring to "one or two" commercial photoshoots, where fees do not depend on your accumulated fortune but on your actual selling power. And his name and face recognition and popularity in Japan is.... huge. Plus his fans are well known to be willing to spend and buy. And I said "the word has it", neither me nor you are privy to his fees.
But, anyway, discussing his finances is irrelevant as he is not a much probable candidate for fluff pro competitions. So end of

 

[dorispulaski]

If a competition were organized as a kickoff for the tour, and a significant part of the gate for that event went to Yuzu's favorite charities, he might consider it.?

Maybe if the competition resulted in winners being selected for a gig or two in SOI or Japanese shows or Russian shows, plus money.

 

[Skater Boy]

Europe and Japan and Russia has a strong professional community. North America needs to build up their skaters from when Scot Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Sasha Cohen, Michelle Kwan, Nicole Bobek, Nancy Kerrigan, or even personalities like Harding Paris and Dance (sorry Chock and Bates) has never been a great seller and again if it was it wasn't so much the US or Canadian teams but the European - Torvill and Dean, GOrdeeva and Grinkov really are the two rare teams that rose to promnence. Conflict, rivalries and characters like Christopehr Bowmand andhis rebelliousness, tomboy Harding, Vampy and sexy Witt, people who don't give the Miss america answers (sorry Michelle, Kristi, tonia, Tara, Sarah, Kimmie, Isabeau don't sell. People who will call it as it is ie even Amber,Alyssa are a step towards the old days. ut you have other issues. Media changes. THe internet, online programming has reduced television ratings and viewership

 

[TallyT]

If a competition were organized as a kickoff for the tour, and a significant part of the gate for that event went to Yuzu's favorite charities, he might consider it.?

Just on a logistics (never mind the money) basis, I doubt it - between his own shows and the charity ones he himself organises, it would be hard to fit in more in NA or other countries. And there's also the very real factor that...

THe internet, online programming has reduced television ratings and viewership

And not only the internet, but streaming services like Netflix etc. The simple fact is the media landscape that made these competitions so accessible to the public has very greatly faded into history as well, and even the networks' best movers and skaters can revive the dead smallscreen donkey. (Me, I sometime imagine someone writing a racy sex and sin fanfictiony-style novel like the one (ones?) that inspired Heated Rivalry. Only about beautiful and scandalous fictional skaters. And selling that to a streaming service like Netflix.)

(Okay, maybe it wouldn't seriously revive the sport but I would watch the hell out of it anyway.)

 

[Anna K.]

[whole post] Media changes. The internet, online programming has reduced television ratings and viewership

Well, now we watch television productions on the internet, which means fiercer competition between streaming media. But it doesn't change the way how media work in general.

Someone has to create the content to put it online and television companies still have huge resources, experience, and know-how in creating exciting content.

So, still, television is not a tool that stops working if it has no stars to show. Television is a tool that creates stars. At least in figure skating this is 100% the case. I can't think about a famous figure skater that rose to fame other than because of the Olympic Games participation or win - and the Games is the most widely televised event.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

When we saw pro events in the mid 1990s at the peak of skating popularity, we weren't that far removed from a time when women could land a few different triples and win World and Olympic titles like Witt did in 1988. Women winning titles without quads and 3As now already feels kind of like a step back, so the technical level of pros would be jarring if they compete with a limited set of jumps.

 

[dorispulaski]

Btw Neither Gary Beacom nor Robert Wagenhoffer was prominent at an Olympics.

 

[noskates]

Well Alysa just landed a major contract to rep Louis Vuitton. Someone is paying attention. Now it just has to be the people that can promote television because that's how you're going to get people interested in figure skating. That's how skaters are going to get noticed and create a situation where people want to see them either in person or on TV. I still say USFS has to step up and get out of the dark ages. Promote the sport. NetFlix or family friendly Disney or YouTube.

 

[Anna K.]

Btw Neither Gary Beacom nor Robert Wagenhoffer was prominent at an Olympics.

Btw I only discovered them thanks to this forum.

Just saying.

 

[dorispulaski]

They were well known in the 1980's. It is a long time ago
.

 

[Diana Delafield]

They were well known in the 1980's. It is a long time ago
.

Oh, thanks! Well, I suppose you might have said a "Very" long time ago . They are/were my generation, in competition at the same time I was, Gary in Canada and Robert in the US. Robert Wagenhoffer was both a singles and pairs competitor. I still remember the shock in the pairs world of his death. He'd only just been diagnosed with AIDS, and announced he was going to produce a show as a fundraiser. The day after his announcement of his plan, he came down with flu, and died two weeks later of pneumonia.