What We’re Talking About
A few weeks ago Oklahoma faced off against LSU. It was No. 1 versus No. 2. The matchup was the type of showdown that should have been broadcast on ABC if the broadcasters weren’t so negligent. Instead it was on ESPN2. Still, those in Norman, Oklahoma flocked to the meet–all 10,234 of them–a new Sooner attendance record. It’s a far cry from when K.J. Kindler took over the program in the mid 2000s and the average crowd size were 600 people.
So you’d think that from 2011 to 2024 the value broadcasters place on women’s sports– and gymnastics in particular–would show similar growth. After all, in that time you’ve had the all-around Olympic champion, Sunisa Lee compete in college; along with her gold medal teammates Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Grace McCallum among others. Before them you had Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian. Not to mention the international Olympians including Shallon Olsen, Courtney McGregor, Amelie Morgan, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan and many others. Then you also consider the other amazing elites like Trinity Thomas who tied the all-time career 10.0 record; Maggie Nichols who owns a bunch of records; and of course Katelyn Ohashi who’s viral routine viewership is absolutely bananas at over 250 million views. For comparison, the NFL’s official YouTube page only has three videos with more views (and they’re all halftime performances).
Well… you’d be wrong. The NCAA bundled women’s gymnastics and other “non-revenue generating sports” together and valued them LESS! Napkin math has each bundled sport worth about $1.28 million per year versus the $1.64 million from the previous contract. Forgive me because I have beat this drum before, but this insult needs repeating until something changes.
Yet, despite a thumb on the scale, women’s gymnastics (and women’s sports in general) have continued to explode in popularity. This past weekend, Arkansas set a new home attendance record and an SEC attendance record with 15,512 in the stands. UCLA has set attendance records for every away dual meet they’ve competed in so far this season.
Those involved in the next negotiations need to demand better. Women’s basketball did, after a literal congressional investigation, and their value jumped from $6–7 million per year to about $65 million per year. Women’s gymnastics needs to have the same fight. The NCAA final now has over 1 million viewers in two of the last three years, despite the championship airing on a Saturday afternoon rather than in primetime. There’s a reason NBC carves out the best times for gymnastics during the Olympics. It seems insane NCAA doesn’t demand the same. If everyone watches women’s sports then we need to start acting like it.
Feelings
- Iron sharpens iron as No. 3 Florida tops No. 2 LSU (198.450-198.325)
- Selena Harris-Miranda, who thought her 10.0 routine was her worst of the season is definitely harder on herself than the judges
- Historic gymnastics isn’t just for Division I. UW-Oshkosh became the first Division III team ever to break 195.000
- LSU has even more talent coming their way with commit Josie Lynch winning the Nastia Liukin Cup
- We’re happy that USAG put athlete safety first and cancelled their World Cup visits to Cairo and Antalya.
- World peace may have been reached this weekend when Ana Bărbosu and Jordan Chiles again tied on floor.
- If you’re a judge and the number of 10s you’ve given in a single meet is anywhere near double digits… it’s probably too many.
- Missouri is showing their depth with five different gymnasts recording 9.950+ across multiple events this season
- It was great to see Yul Moldauer back competing
- Unapologetically, the Mixed Team format is exciting!
- Bonus: You should definitely get your Live Show Season Pass and/or your Cecile Landi Live Show Replay Ticket
Facts
- JJ Coleman’s perfect 10 was the first for Ohio State in 23 years
- Jordan Chiles scored her first perfect 10 of the season on bars
- Azaraya Ra-Akbar continues her outstanding freshman season with a 10 on bars
- 198.450: Florida posted the highest score in the nation
- Jordan Chiles needs one more 10 to tie Haleigh Bryant with 18 and to break into the top 10 career list
- Selena Harris-Miranda is now up to nine career 10s
- 9: The number of 9.975s scored at the Florida vs. LSU meet
- Florida’s monster score moved them from No. 4 to No. 3 in the nation just ahead of Alabama
- Not showing the team scores in the arena for American Cup is unacceptable
- China’s beam is art
- Bonus: Get – The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles for under $5!
Award(s)
- Freshman of the Week (Every Week): Azaraya Ra-Akbar
- Gold Medal for Being a Gymnast: Nastia Liukin
What’s On the Socials?
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Quotes
“Personally, I was like this is probably the worst beam routine I’ve done this season and I got a 10.”
~ Selena Harris-Miranda, Perfectionist
In the post meet press conference, Selena shared her thoughts on her perfect beam routine and the flawless habits that come from excellence at practice.
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“I’ve read everything online, ‘Maybe Yul was doing drugs.’ I have more than 10 years of being clean. It sucks. But at the end of the day, it’s my responsibility.”
~ Yul Moldauer, Active Competitor
In an interview with Will Graves of the AP, Yul opens up about his suspension and discusses his thoughts on the future.
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“What is most disturbing is the attempt to place blame on the sport of gymnastics itself. That narrative is not just inaccurate —it is unjust.”
~ K.J. Kindler, Cyclone
The former Iowa State standout and coach had some strong language for the athletic department that just dropped the women’s gymnastics program.
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This column was composed and compiled by Steve Cooper, Editor at GymCastic and co-author of “The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles“; some thoughts culled from hosts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes.
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