Int’l Skating Union Says World Championships In Jeopardy

Int’l Skating Union (ISU) President Ottavio Cinquanta indicated that the future of the ’09 World Figure Skating Championships scheduled for L.A. “could be in jeopardy unless a new TV contract for ISU events in the [U.S.] is in place,” according to Philip Hersh of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The ISU’s four-year contract with ESPN expires after the ’08 season, and the net, which paid $5M annually for the rights, is “considered unlikely to renew.” Cinquanta said, “Without TV coverage, we cannot assure our contractual obligations.” U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) CEO David Raith was “surprised by Cinquanta’s impromptu remarks.” Raith said that the USFSA has “guaranteed the host broadcast signal, which could cost the USFSA some $500,000 if there is no rights-holder to provide it.” Raith said he is “not concerned” Staples Center may lose the event. Hersh notes Cinquanta’s statements “could have been a ploy to push negotiations for a new TV contract in both the [U.S.] and Canada” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/20).