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Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate secured permission to use music from the "Minions" film franchise after Universal Studios rescinded an earlier objection, just before the Milano Cortina Winter Games.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.