- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
Skate Canada's recent webinar went into that - they did well last year in ticket sales, if I understood the economic jargon. TV rights is the other earner, I imagine, and it's going to be hard to persuade any media except Japan and Russia (and maybe China depending on which skaters? Canada? Korea?) to pay good money and give decent coverage to empty rinks in a foreign country for a whole grand prix. Then there are the financial benefits - or not - of hosting the whole circus once, let alone six times. Kelowna businesses were apparently very happy with the flow on benefits last year, but no or limited audiences means no flow on.
And to be cynical here, given that home advantage is pretty much a given anyway, somewhat deflected by different homes in a normal year, are the federations really going to want to trust one with all of it?
I may be wrong and rather too sadsacky, but I do think if the ISU were to go for that idea, they need to do it in a country where the curve is not just flattened but right down, the virus is pretty much under control, there are no signs of a second wave, they can allow for accommodation and sufficient practice rinks for everyone concerned within a reasonable radius for the whole shebang and they can offer at least some socially distant seating. It possibly can be done, but it does mean thinking outside the box.
I'm not sure a country exists New Zealand? No home court advantage then. Call me a pessimist but I think the whole season will be cancelled