What challenges do figure skaters face with music rights?

Figure skaters face significant stress and unpredictability in clearing music rights, with potential for last-minute objections from studios or artists.

How did Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate's music issue resolve?

Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate received approval to skate to 'Minions' music after Universal Studios reversed its initial objection.

Do figure skaters handle music licensing themselves?

Athletes largely rely on their support teams to manage music licensing processes so they can focus on training and competition.

Home / Sports / Figure Skating Music Rights Drama Unfolds

Figure Skating Music Rights Drama Unfolds

4 Feb

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Summary

Music rights create major stress for figure skaters annually.
Universal Studios reversed an earlier objection for skater Guarino Sabate.
Skaters rely on support teams to navigate complex music licensing.

Figure Skating Music Rights Drama Unfolds

Figure skaters are navigating a challenging landscape of music rights clearance, a process that can be highly stressful and unpredictable. Recently, Spaniard Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate secured permission to use music from the "Minions" film franchise after Universal Studios rescinded an earlier objection, just before the Milano Cortina Winter Games. This incident highlights the broader anxieties faced by athletes regarding music licensing. American skater Amber Glenn noted that even with proper procedures, final decisions can be out of their hands, leading to potential last-minute program changes. "We have tried our hardest to get everything cleared... a producer can just decide, never mind, no," she stated. Athletes often depend heavily on their support teams to handle the complexities of music rights, allowing them to concentrate on their athletic performance. Twice world champion Ilia Malinin also shared his perspective, describing how selecting unique music can introduce additional risks. Malinin explained his practice of contacting artists or rights holders directly to preemptively resolve issues, though he acknowledged that outcomes are never guaranteed. "You really don't know what you're getting into, but you kind of just have to hope everything works out," he commented.