Competitive rivalries, big stars and large prize fund are needed to popularize a sport. If two men, women, pairs and dance couples are to fight in an annual match for the titles of absolute champions and big money, it could be attractive to the public, broadcasters, advertisers and sponsors.
These absolute champion matches will be held in April or May, replacing WTT, which also comprises of four disciplines. In the inaugural year, the top two finishers at the world championships will fight for the absolute champion titles. In subsequent years, the world championships will be used to determine the challengers to previous year’s absolute champions. The absolute champions have the choice to compete or not compete in the world championships. ISU will find title sponsors and guarantee a minimum prize fund of $2,000,000, twice as WTT, which definitely can’t be compared to the absolute champion matches in prestige and rating. The absolute champions will win at least $300,000 and the runner-ups $200,000. However, individual men’s, women’s, pairs’ and ice dance matches may have varied prize money based their own sponsorships and advertisers.
For example, in the men’s discipline we have a big star in Yuzuru Hanyu. Nathan Chen is becoming competitive with him. They are 4:4 in head-to-head competitions. Losing to Chen at this year’s world championships was painful to Hanyu. If they could have a match for the absolute champion title in the following month or two, it would be euphoric to the fans. Their match could potentially go up to million dollars.
More money, more competitive, more talks, more viewers, better rating, more advertisers and sponsors. It’s a virtuous cycle and a win-win to all stakeholders. It could eventually make figure skating popular again and benefit to all.
These absolute champion matches will be held in April or May, replacing WTT, which also comprises of four disciplines. In the inaugural year, the top two finishers at the world championships will fight for the absolute champion titles. In subsequent years, the world championships will be used to determine the challengers to previous year’s absolute champions. The absolute champions have the choice to compete or not compete in the world championships. ISU will find title sponsors and guarantee a minimum prize fund of $2,000,000, twice as WTT, which definitely can’t be compared to the absolute champion matches in prestige and rating. The absolute champions will win at least $300,000 and the runner-ups $200,000. However, individual men’s, women’s, pairs’ and ice dance matches may have varied prize money based their own sponsorships and advertisers.
For example, in the men’s discipline we have a big star in Yuzuru Hanyu. Nathan Chen is becoming competitive with him. They are 4:4 in head-to-head competitions. Losing to Chen at this year’s world championships was painful to Hanyu. If they could have a match for the absolute champion title in the following month or two, it would be euphoric to the fans. Their match could potentially go up to million dollars.
More money, more competitive, more talks, more viewers, better rating, more advertisers and sponsors. It’s a virtuous cycle and a win-win to all stakeholders. It could eventually make figure skating popular again and benefit to all.