2010 U.S. Nationals(threads merged)

[zaphyre14]

Originally Posted by Carolla5501

GEE.. USFSA had a gun to thier head???? NBC dictated. USFSA SIGNED. Takes two to tango. So yes, you can complain to USFSA. SORRY!

USFSA lives in this world where skating was worth a lot of money to broadcasters and this was thier "wake up" call.

No one MADE USFSA accept this. This may have been the best they can get. However, I expect that the worse is yet to come. The day may come when these events aren't on ANY major network.

NBC was the only network interested in broadcasting figure skating. It was follow their schedule or no coverage at all.

And yes, for 2011 the schedule returns to normal. Part of the reason Spokane got Nationals was because they were able to accommodate the split schedule. Some of the other major markets could not because of committments at the arenas to other events and sports teams.

[Carolla5501]

Originally Posted by zaphyre14

NBC was the only network interested in broadcasting figure skating. It was follow their schedule or no coverage at all.

And yes, for 2011 the schedule returns to normal. Part of the reason Spokane got Nationals was because they were able to accommodate the split schedule. Some of the other major markets could not because of committments at the arenas to other events and sports teams.

I actually think that you are heading quickly towards "no coverage at all" However, I expect that the real truth is that NBC was the only MAJOR network even slightly interested. And regardless the BUCK stops at the USFSA door. The view on here is they deserve no blame. I think they do.... They may feel that had no choice and maybe they didn't but that does make them "pure as the driven snow" If fans are upset they need to let them know. (Not that it will matter)

In this day and age.... probably someone would broadcast it. It might be USA, country music etc..... Heck Sectionals were broadcast in the NE on some local sports network!

And I think that's what we may see. I see no reason that NBC is going to be happy with ratings for this year. MAYBE they get an Olympic year boost next year... but that's a big if!

USFSA needs to look hard at thier model that depends on network TV and realize that "fans don't matter" just means that "fans won't donate because you have never shown reasons to trust" They need to be OPEN with the public about what they are doing to address the "decrease thier overhead" and increase funding to the skaters. Their model is built on the "glory" days post Tonya/Nancy. Not likely to return.

[Carolla5501]

They are offering a discount of $75 on weekend packages purchased at Cleaveland. I don't know if we are suppose to post the codes etc... but if you want it I guess I can give it to you if you PM me?

[acraven]

The folks at the Spokane Nationals booth in Cleveland were handing out a draft schedule for next year--subject to change, of course.

Fri, Jan 15:
Jr. Men's SP
Sr. Pairs' SP
Sr. Men's SP

Sat, Jan 16:
Sr. Pairs' FS
Jr. Pairs' SP

Sun, Jan 17:
Sr. Men's FS
Nov. Ladies' SP
Nov. Pairs' SP
Jr. Men's FS (last 2 ticketed together)

Mon, Jan 18:
Nov. Ladies' FS (first 3 ticketed together)
Nov. Pairs' FS
Nov. Men's SP
Jr. Pairs' FS

Tue, Jan 19:
Jr. CD
Nov Men's FS
Nov. CD

Wed, Jan 20:
Nov. FD
Jr. OD
Jr. Ladies' SP

Thu, Jan 21:
Sr. CD (First 2 ticketed together)
Sr. OD
Sr. Ladies' SP

Fri, Jan 22:
Jr. FD
Jr. Ladies' FS

Sat, Jan 23:
Sr. FD
Sr. Ladies' FS

Sun, Jan 24:
Skating Spectacular (Exhibition)

[BittyBug]

Originally Posted by zaphyre14

Part of the reason Spokane got Nationals was because they were able to accommodate the split schedule. Some of the other major markets could not because of committments at the arenas to other events and sports teams.

There were at least four other bidders, all of whom were able to support the two week schedule, since that was a deal breaker requirement for bidding. So while some markets might not have been able to accommodate the two weekends, there were certainly several other choices other than Spokane. IIRC, finalists included San Jose, Denver, Portland, Providence and some place in North Carolina.

[TanithandBenFan]

Thanks for the schedule, Ann. I was hoping they'd put the OD on Friday so the ice dancers wouldn't have to compete twice in one day. They could have easily fit it in with Junior Dance and Junior Ladies.

[Dee2e]

Thanks, Ann.

Scheduling a sporting event, particularly in an Olympic year, for the benefit of TV scheduling is stupid. We don't play Games 1,2,3 of the World Series one weekend, Games 4,5,6 the next, and if needed, Game 7 the next weekend!

The Olympic committee is concerned about it too but since the USFS does not call this Olympic trials, they can't do much about it.


"5. There are significant concerns in U.S. Olympic Committee headquarters about having competition at the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships -- a.k.a. the Olympic trials -- drag over 10 days (with three competition days in each of the consecutive weeks) in Spokane. USOC folks are worried about the organization and flow of an event that actually will go on for almost two full weeks, since some skaters will arrive two or three days before senior competition begins Friday, Jan. 15. The change was made to accommodate NBC. Because U.S. Figure Skating does not call the event an Olympic trials, it does not have to cede any control (or revenue) to the USOC." Phil Hersh

[Sylvia]

Thanks for typing out the preliminary schedule, Ann!

KXLY TV news video story: Is figure skating event in financial jeopardy? (click on the link with the camera icon for the video version of the story)

SPOKANE - Organizers for the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships were hoping to receive sizeable financial assistance from the state to host the event. If you look at the state's current budget proposal, however, it's not planning to spend a dime.

[UMBS Go Blue]

Thanks for the schedule, Ann.

Just from my own selfish perspective, if there's any way they can cram the senior events into Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - especially the 2nd week - instead of using Friday 1/22 for junior events only, then that would make it far more efficient, again from a selfish fan perspective, to make 2 trips up to Spokane (this is easy for me, being from the West Coast) instead of staying the entire week in between and missing a lot of work.

[avivadawn]

I'm actually thinking about making the trip up now......Amtrak is cheap, tickets also seem cheap(er) and we have relatives in Olympia and don't mind the drive.

[Dee2e]

Originally Posted by UMBS Go Blue

Thanks for the schedule, Ann.

Just from my own selfish perspective, if there's any way they can cram the senior events into Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - especially the 2nd week - instead of using Friday 1/22 for junior events only, then that would make it far more efficient, again from a selfish fan perspective, to make 2 trips up to Spokane (this is easy for me, being from the West Coast) instead of staying the entire week in between and missing a lot of work.

I'm in Florida, this event won't happen for me. It is too long, too expensive.

As for UMBS Go Blue's suggestion, it's my understanding this is a one time schedule at the request of NBC and this format won't be used again.

[RD]

As for UMBS Go Blue's suggestion, it's my understanding this is a one time schedule at the request of NBC and this format won't be used again.

Unless, of course, NBC gets the 2014 Games AND renews the USFS contract.

[Carolla5501]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Unless, of course, NBC gets the 2014 Games AND renews the USFS contract.

Actually... If NBC doesn't get better ratings... they may not renew under any circumstances.

[RD]

Originally Posted by Carolla5501

Actually... If NBC doesn't get better ratings... they may not renew under any circumstances.

I agree with that as well.

[chipso1]

Does anyone have a guess as to what time the exhibition will be at on Sunday? I know this year in Cleveland and last year in St. Paul it was around 7pm on Sunday, but that was right after competition ended. Think it might be earlier in the day since there's no comp. scheduled for Sunday?

Sorry! Just trying to figure out flight schedules and stuff

[maureenfarone]

Chipso1 I just checked the schedule from 2007 which was in Spokane and the last time the competition ended on Saturday with the Exhibition on Sunday. The schedule I have shows the Exhibition at 2:00 p.m. Of course, doesn't mean it will be the same in 2010, but it might be.

Maybe the LOC could give you a little more info. I'm also starting to check airfares - which actually seem to be dropping.

[peibeck]

There is no need to have the exhibition in the evening, since it is the only event scheduled for Sunday. Hopefully they will have scheduled it in the afternoon so people who are able can leave that evening.

I can't believe they are having the senior CD and OD on the same day.

[genevieve]

I didn't think this was worth its own thread, but WA State just killed an appropriation to put up some $$$ for January's Nats. Doesn't look like it will affect the event too badly, though.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...yndication=rss

[Sylvia]

And here's Spokane KXLY TV's follow-up to their 1/30/09 story titled "Is figure skating event in financial jeopardy?" (see above): (4/29/09) State leaves 2010 skating event out of budget (includes a video version of the story).

Skating championship promoters Barb Beddor and Toby Steward are not deterred by losing $600,000 they were counting on from the state.

"We're reaching back and looking at everything every possible way, there will be some cuts we can make there are some things we can do more efficiently and let's face it everyone is being asked to do more with less," Beddor said.
...
The Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau says it's already working on a plan to make up for the missing state money and Beddor says they will get over this budget hurdle.

"At the end of the day it's our goal to make it appear seamless nobody can say there's an area where they cut some money," she said.

[HisWeirness]

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=42985

Compulsory Dances selected for 2010 US Nats:

U.S. Championships
Senior: Golden Waltz
Junior: Argentine Tango
Novice: Starlight Waltz & Kilian