The Skating Lesson

[Karen-W]

That's an interesting thought. They couldn't literally stop him from speaking via lawsuit, but suing for damages could drive him out. I wish we had more context or a transcript. Most of this can be argued as opinion, but when he said the skaters were "taken advantage of" that's skirting defamation.

Yes... They did use the word "rhetoric" in their public statement, so I'm not sure they think there's a legal basis to sue for defamation, but he also skirted around the fundraising and called on the USFS to be very transparent about where the money goes in his TSL recap, which was different from the Patreon clip that has been circulating. Between the two, there may be enough to at least make his life miserable.

I do expect he'll be back, under a different moniker since he's nuked his TSL brand and probably using AI to alter his voice for an audio-only podcast. But he's too much of a narcissist to not slink back at some point before the Olympics.

 

[Amy L]

Didn't he used to be Aunt Joyce way back in the day?

 

[Rukia]

Didn't he used to be Aunt Joyce way back in the day?

yes

 

[Cherub721]

There's an audio clip on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/comments/1j469l3/david_lease_the_skating_lesson_is_awful/?share_id=rS0BxkIDp3kmiJP7JgYhf&utm_content=2&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

I saw that but hes kind of mid sentence. Wish there were more even if this is the worst part.

 

[Private Citizen]

He may not be back this time. I wouldn't put it past the USFS to slap him with a civil lawsuit that makes it impossible for him to come back in any way.

I only heard the audio clip on Reddit. Did he say anything worse than some of the children were not very talented and not going to make it in skating? That's cruel and horrible, but I don't think defamatory. I can't see how it would trigger any civil liability.

I imagine it's the end of the USFS giving TSL any kind of press accreditation, and I suspect the USFS and other federations may advise their skaters not to associate with him. He has always walked the line between being a blogger/vlogger and a shock jock, and there's no going back from shock jock after this.

 

[Karen-W]

I saw that but hes kind of mid sentence. Wish there were more even if this is the worst part.

I only heard the audio clip on Reddit. Did he say anything worse than some of the children were not very talented and not going to make it in skating? That's cruel and horrible, but I don't think defamatory. I can't see how it would trigger any civil liability.

I imagine it's the end of the USFS giving TSL any kind of press accreditation, and I suspect the USFS and other federations may advise their skaters not to associate with him. He has always walked the line between being a blogger/vlogger and a shock jock, and there's no going back from shock jock after this.

Before the TSL online presence was completed deleted, he posted on his Patreon that he was taking a break but would be returning to address the comments that were taken out of context (there was a screenshot of this on X). I never subscribed to his Patreon, just watched his YT recaps, so I can't say whether or not he's accurate in stating it was taken out of context. I do know what he said in the YT recap and it wasn't quite as disgusting - he left out the "these skaters weren't that talented" part, but he was basically insinuating that the USFS is taking advantage of the situation to fundraise their way out of financial difficulty (can't say that I think raising $1.2 to $1.5 million to be split between three organizations is going to make much of a dent in the USFS' annual budget, but okay) and that people needed to demand transparency with regard to the funds the USFS receives.

FWIW, there are some in the FS social media sphere who think the USFS is being rather opportunistic here to take out one of the largest FS blogger/influencers who has been quite vocal in calling out their own missteps with regard to abuse and the systemic problems within the sport. It's a valid point.

 

[Cherub721]

I only heard the audio clip on Reddit. Did he say anything worse than some of the children were not very talented and not going to make it in skating? That's cruel and horrible, but I don't think defamatory. I can't see how it would trigger any civil liability.

I imagine it's the end of the USFS giving TSL any kind of press accreditation, and I suspect the USFS and other federations may advise their skaters not to associate with him. He has always walked the line between being a blogger/vlogger and a shock jock, and there's no going back from shock jock after this.

The one I think could be defamatory is where he says the skaters were being taken advantage of. I'd like more context but he seems to be saying that these are skaters with little to no talent and being taken advantage of to waste their time and money at these camps. Now I don't know how it all works, if the skaters have to pay to attend the development camp. If they do, he's low key accusing the organizers of fraud.

 

[Karen-W]

The one I think could be defamatory is where he says the skaters were being taken advantage of. I'd like more context but he seems to be saying that these are skaters with little to no talent and being taken advantage of to waste their time and money at these camps. Now I don't know how it all works, if the skaters have to pay to attend the development camp. If they do, he's low key accusing the organizers of fraud.

There's that aspect, but there's also the general public being duped with the fundraising efforts - the implication being that these kids were the absolute future of the sport and are irreplaceable. Yes, some of the ones who passed away may have gone onto become Team USA members and even competed internationally, but they were hardly the only skaters at this one camp and it's certainly not the only development opportunity available to them, plus they were so young and at a level where it's hard to say what they would have achieved. They were full of bright hopes and dreams, but they weren't at the same stage of their development in the sport as the 1961 team.

 

[Lanie]

IMO Dave didn't give two shits about victims of abuse or calling out USFS or anyone for shoving it under the rug - he just liked being the person who'd share it on TSL as a 'scoop' treating it like a side-show for attention on him.

 

[Karen-W]

IMO Dave didn't give two shits about victims of abuse or calling out USFS or anyone for shoving it under the rug - he just liked being the person who'd share it on TSL as a 'scoop' treating it like a side-show for attention on him.

That's a fair take to have too.

 

[overedge]

Fcuk you, Dave Lease. What a horrible thing to say. "Making it", whatever that means by your standards, isn't the only reason to be in skating, and to insult people who are DEAD and can't respond is simply unfathomable.

 

[Rukia]

The one I think could be defamatory is where he says the skaters were being taken advantage of. I'd like more context but he seems to be saying that these are skaters with little to no talent and being taken advantage of to waste their time and money at these camps. Now I don't know how it all works, if the skaters have to pay to attend the development camp. If they do, he's low key accusing the organizers of fraud.

Skaters do have to pay for development camp, but you have to be invited to go based on how you did in competitions. So to say they have little to no talent is ridiculous. They were talented enough to beat other skaters. They weren't letting in skaters who had one jump to their name and promising them olympic glory or something. And as stated before many of the skaters knew this may be the pinnacle of their skating career and they were ok with that.

 

[skatfan]

Those predicting that this is the end for the skating lesson - I disagree. He came back from having death threats about the Coughlin situation.

David lives on the edge; that’s what he likes, and that’s what we get.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

FWIW, there are some in the FS social media sphere who think the USFS is being rather opportunistic here to take out one of the largest FS blogger/influencers who has been quite vocal in calling out their own missteps with regard to abuse and the systemic problems within the sport. It's a valid point.

USFS hasn't done anything to take Lease out, they've just called him a jackass. Before they said anything he had already taken his own accounts down because of the blowback from fans.

USFS has made a hash of a lot of things, but by all accounts they've handled this tragedy sensitively and effectively, and done a great deal to help those most hurt by it. I don't think they had any choice but to respond to those awful remarks. I think the community would have felt abandoned if they'd let them pass without comment.

 

[overedge]

Those predicting that this is the end for the skating lesson - I disagree. He came back from having death threats about the Coughlin situation.

David lives on the edge; that’s what he likes, and that’s what we get.

Personally I don't believe he got death threats. I mean, what a great excuse to draw more attention to yourself: "oh I had to get off the internet because DEATH THREATS but as a brave crusader I am back to speak the truth that no one else dares speak" etc etc

However, this time USFS has formally and publicly smacked him down, and IMO that's going to have a lot more consequences for him.

 

[Karen-W]

USFS hasn't done anything to take Lease out, they've just called him a jackass. Before they said anything he had already taken his own accounts down because of the blowback from fans.

USFS has made a hash of a lot of things, but by all accounts they've handled this tragedy sensitively and effectively, and done a great deal to help those most hurt by it. I don't think they had any choice but to respond to to those awful remarks. I think the community would have felt abandoned if they'd let them pass without comment.

Well, you're assuming that there was no communication between the USFS & DL privately before they made their public statement, and I wouldn't be so sure that is the case.

I do agree, they've been remarkably sensitive and thoughtful in their handling of this tragedy - it's been an impressive display of crisis communications, from start to finish. Which is what leads me to believe that DL only took his online presence down because of whatever was being communicated privately with the USFS in the last 24 hours. The clip started circulating 2 days ago on X, then spread through the FS online community.

 

[Carolla5501]

Personally I don't believe he got death threats. I mean, what a great excuse to draw more attention to yourself: "oh I had to get off the internet because DEATH THREATS but as a brave crusader I am back to speak the truth that no one else dares speak" etc etc

However, this time USFS has formally smacked him down, and IMO that's going to have a lot more consequences for him.

I listened to this trash about once or twice in my whole life. It’s very evident that Dave says anything he wants to to get attention. So a death threat probably means somebody told him to shut up. He’s not the least bit afraid of exaggerating or saying things for attention. I’ve never understood why people keep supporting him and if you are listening to his podcast, you are supporting him.


It’s time for Dave and his trash to die of inattention. Unsubscribe and walk away

 

[Barbara Manatee]

No idea if USFS has talked with Lease directly, but why would they? Lease is hardly the first person to run and hide after posting something stupid. He's done it before. The internet mob is more than capable of eating one of its own without help from any organization.

 

[overedge]

Why would USFS want to, or think it had to, talk to Dave directly before making its statement? Dave said what he said and said it publicly, and other than taking down his socials, he hasn't apologized publicly. USFS is under no obligation to respond privately to him.

 

[Jarrett]

Dave Lease is a vile human being, this being another example of it.

I'm so glad USFS has said something.

Yea nothing new here. He has always been this type of person.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I’ve always been shocked by his negative energy and how he critiques and tears down every figure skater, and I’ve been vocal about that in this forum.

But what has always surprise me is that skaters, coaches I’ve admired, Alissa Czisny, Paul Wylie, Carol Lane, Megan Duhamel they all go on there and collaborate with him and Alissa was doing it for quite some time. I mean these people have to know how Dave speaks … I mean just because Carol and Megan and Paul all stop by doesn’t mean he wont Trash Talk each and everyone of them on the next podcasts.

“So Alissa tell me what you hated about the Americans and in particular Isabeau’s skating..” I mean, how is this beneficial?

Granted, the questions aren’t all phrased like that, but just about.

Even world champions and Olympic champions are critiqued and torn down.

 

[Jarrett]

I don't blame ANY skater who has been on Lease's videos in the past. From the videos I watched I could always see they were talking about a sport they lived and breathed, something that they truly loved. Lets be frank. Figure skating doesn't have a lot of people talking about it and Lease's platform was one of the few that is reasonably active. The chance to build the sport, share their perspective is probably very alluring. Also I don't think that ANY of them were watching everything Lease did and taking notes. He has said mean spirited things in the past but this is something on a whole different level and I think pretty much any self-respecting skater will keep their distance from him unless something drastic happens.

 

[Viktoria]

I sat down with both Eddie Zhou and Franco the night before they died at the hotpot resto, and I asked them specifically: is your goal to be part of Team USA? And both of them were like "no, no, no ... we are not that good." I know Eddie's parents well, and they'd be the first to tell you that they have no ambition that Eddie get to be Team USA -- all they do is to support what their son enjoys, and at that point it was skating but they feel that when college rolls by, he'd focus on college. So sad they never got to reach that point.

As Drew Meekins said, these kids simply love skating, and they are willing to work hard at it.

And parents are willing to spend money to support what their kids love, not necessarily because they think their kid is God's gift to figure skating (though I am sure there are those)

DL did such a good job doing the skater tributes, but it's so disgusting that his main thought was that some of them were not good enough

As a parent with various kids in various sports with varying levels of skill, talent, and drive, especially in early-peaking sports, I can say that by young teenage years, most parents and youth athletes and coaches "see the forest for the trees" and have a very realistic view of things like Olympics and NHL and World Cup, etc. By teen years, even things like D1 and NCAA are pretty clear. There are outliers, of course, and some parents still yelling at their 16yo hockey players on the way home from games, but generally, and again, especially in early-peaking sports, by early teens, most families have settled into the "love of the sport, keep progressing, see how far you go, but start making plans for the rest of life" stage. And frankly, as a parent, that stage of competitive youth sports is wonderful -- that moment when you can exhale for yourself and your kids. It's too bad it doesn't come earlier, but you live and you learn.

And yeah, have a conversation about youth sports and the crazy money and pushing kids to specialize and sacrifice, etc. etc. etc. But to attach all that to these kids or this moment? Read the f*ckin' room, TSL.

 

[On My Own]

Also I don't think that ANY of them were watching everything Lease did and taking notes

Are you so very sure that if someone like Jenny Kirk or Alissa Csizny or Meagan Duhamel have been collaborating with him for so long, then they wouldn't know what kind of person he is? Do keep in mind that he's not only a person who exists on video. He's going to fish for sources offline, and stay in touch with those contacts... none of them noticed?

Keep in mind further that there was a profile about him several years ago, where I believe he had phone called someone during skate America or something? And the person he'd called was more than willing to share a conspiracy theory about a skater's injury with him. It's not necessarily true either that he's much less gross offline, imo.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Are you so very sure that if someone like Jenny Kirk or Alissa Csizny or Meagan Duhamel have been collaborating with him for so long, then they wouldn't know what kind of person he is? Do keep in mind that he's not only a person who exists on video. He's going to fish for sources offline, and stay in touch with those contacts... none of them noticed?

Keep in mind further that there was a profile about him several years ago, where I believe he had phone called someone during skate America or something? And the person he'd called was more than willing to share a conspiracy theory about a skater's injury with him. It's not necessarily true either that he's much less gross offline, imo.

I so agree with you and don’t really buy what Jarret is selling.

I’ll make this simple so it doesn’t go on forever, I’m not gonna go onto someone’s platform and they speak anti-LGBTQ, but however they are in the LGBTQ realm just to get more publicity about LGBTQ. I’d like to think I’m much much much much much more intelligent than that.

 

[BittyBug]

There's that aspect, but there's also the general public being duped with the fundraising efforts - the implication being that these kids were the absolute future of the sport and are irreplaceable. Yes, some of the ones who passed away may have gone onto become Team USA members and even competed internationally, but they were hardly the only skaters at this one camp and it's certainly not the only development opportunity available to them, plus they were so young and at a level where it's hard to say what they would have achieved. They were full of bright hopes and dreams, but they weren't at the same stage of their development in the sport as the 1961 team.

Let's not forget that the sport also lost four seasoned and valuable coaches in the crash. That loss is exponential because of the number of current skaters they coached, as well as the future talent they could have mentored.

 

[BrightSkates]

If Dave wanted to critique the NDC for their "lack of talent" there are so many ways he could have done it without bringing up the victims and certainly not during the tribute. I think streaming/talking during the tribute was already disrespectful enough but clearly he only thinks of himself and clicks.

 

[canbelto]

My theory of DL is that he presents very differently when he's in the presence of skating stars. He's very deferential. He's done quite a few interviews with Katia Gordeeva that were 100% respectful. He's less respectful to those he doesn't consider stars.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Just saw that Amber Glenn has reposted the USFS statement on her IG

 

[Private Citizen]

Personally I don't believe he got death threats.

I knew him personally back in my New York days, and both he and his family did receive death threats. I saw them with my own eyes. Unless he sent them to himself, they were real. That’s not excusing anything he has done now.