Cashing In On Sports
Skates Still Grace Igloo Ice
By Guy Junker

Contrary to previous reports, there will be plenty of dazzling skating at Mellon Arena this October, with ice chips flying and thousands cheering. There just won't be any pucks or sticks involved. But the Smart Ones Skate America figure skating competition was scheduled to play the Arena even if the Pens weren't locked out. That may not appease the puck-deprived among you, but it certainly has the interest of figure skating fans from all around the world.

'We've had ticket requests from as far away as Japan and Australia,' says Dana Lewis, Mellon Arena Marketing Coordinator. Fans are expected from China, Korea, Canada and the United Kingdom. 'The Marriott across the street from the Arena will house most of the skaters and it is full that weekend, as are the Ramada and Omni William Penn,' says Lewis.

Two years ago, Pittsburgh won the bid to host this competition over other finalist Tampa Bay. Why Pittsburgh? 'The sports history of the region, for one thing,' says Brian Chiera, the assistant general manager of Mellon Arena. 'The high television ratings figure skating gets here, and the success of ice shows in the past in Pittsburgh.'

This same event was held here 10 years ago, and back in 1983 the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held at the Igloo. Both did well.

'This is even a bigger deal in the figure skating world now than it was in 1994,' says Lewis.

While the four day event is expected to draw roughly the amount of people that would attend one Penguins' game - about 15,000 - Chiera says that is okay with them.

'There is a risk involved. There is no promoter for this, like most events,' he says. 'There are a lot of expenses and our goal is to make sure they are all covered. But even if we just break even financially, we'll consider it a success. The opportunity to host an international event and the exposure the city will get is priceless.'

And there will be exposure. ABC-TV will broadcast live, and other countries will do the same on their networks. 'We can put this on our resume and help us attract other future events,' says Chiera.

And, by-the-way, that Pittsburgh resume is reading well these days. The Major League Baseball All-Star game is coming here in 2006. Next year the Senior Olympics come to town, followed by the Bassmasters fishing classic. This month it's the Smart Ones Skate America competition.

Charlie Wolenter is the president of the Pittsburgh Figure Skating Club. According to Wolenter, 'The Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the event will mean about $1 million to local businesses.' While that doesn't figure to have the economic impact on the city as some of those other future events, it's not chicken feed either.

Many of the Pittsburgh Figure Skating Club's members will be working as volunteers that week, helping with things like the media and registration. 'Something like this happens once in a skater's career,' Wolenter says. 'Some of the kids will get a chance to skate with the big names during an exhibition on the final day.'

Smart Ones Skate America will run from Thursday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 24, which just happens to be the weekend the Steelers have a bye. It is the premier international event held annually by U.S. Figure Skating, and the traditional start of each figure skating season. It will attract some of the best world class and Olympic-eligible skaters from 15 different countries. This isn't the Ice Capades. This is a real competition in men's, women's, pair's and ice dancing.

The list of participants includes the Men's and Ladies Champions from last year, Michael Weiss and Sasha Cohen. Michelle Kwan will be here as well, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history. And you puck fans should note that she got into skating at age five after watching her older brother play hockey.

So while the Penguins and the rest of the NHL may be inactive in October, Mellon Arena will still remain a hot spot for ice skating. And you just might want to check it out. After all, the building could be dark for much of the rest of the year.

Guy Junker can be heard on ESPN Radio weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.