Livvy Dunne is a prominent figure in women’s college gymnastics and an NIL powerhouse. She has recently voiced concerns about the future of the sport. As she enters her final season with the national champion LSU Tigers, Dunne has taken to social media to express her worries about the dwindling popularity of gymnastics.
Her comments have sparked a debate about the new judging accountability system and its impact on the sport’s fan engagement and overall popularity.
Livvy Dunne’s Concerns About Gymnastics Popularity
Livvy Dunne’s social media note highlighted her concerns over the empty seats at NCAA gymnastics meets. She emphasized that to increase viewership and fan enjoyment, the sport needs to focus on what excites the crowds.
She pointed out that people understand and get excited about a perfect 10. Athletes who deliver visually impressive performances should be rewarded accordingly.
The New Judging Accountability System
This season, a new judging accountability system has been implemented to address the overscoring issues of previous years. Last year, there were 87 perfect 10s in women’s college gymnastics, just shy of the record 91 in 2004.
The new system aims to provide more rigorous evaluations, resulting in fewer perfect scores. So far, there have been only three 10s this season compared to over 20 at the same point last year.
Dunne’s concerns are not unfounded, as the new system has led to lower scores for routines that would have previously received higher marks. This shift has sparked immediate pushback from fans who have been worried about scoring inflation over the past five years.
Despite these changes, viewership and attendance numbers have remained strong in the early part of the season.
The Impact of Scheduling Conflicts
One factor that may have contributed to the sparse attendance at some meets is scheduling conflicts with major events. For instance, the Missouri-Kentucky showdown aired opposite the AFC Championship game, which drew a historically high TV audience.
Find the best accommodations
Check availability at 5* hotels, guest houses and apartments rated "superb" or "exceptional" by visitors just like you.
NO RESERVATION FEES
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATES HERE
Even a perfect score for every gymnast wouldn’t have changed the attendance and viewership numbers against such a significant football game.
Revenue Sharing and Non-Revenue Sports
Dunne’s concerns extend beyond just scoring and fan engagement. The looming House v NCAA settlement, which will bring revenue sharing to college sports, has many worried about the fate of non-revenue programs like gymnastics.
Dunne fears that anything causing a dip in popularity and fan engagement, such as the new judging system, could negatively impact the sport’s future.
The Historical Context of Perfect Scores
The connection between scoring and popularity in gymnastics is complex. Nadia Comăneci’s first Olympic 10s were a global sensation, but they were awarded during a mega sporting event in the Cold War era.
Olga Korbut, who never received a 10, was a global superstar due to her daring acrobatics and endearing personality. The proliferation of perfect 10s in the years following Comăneci’s success led to a scoring crisis, with viewers questioning the legitimacy of perfect marks awarded to flawed exercises.
The Evolution of Scoring in Gymnastics
By 2006, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) eliminated the 10 in favor of an open-ended scoring system. Despite initial resistance, the popularity of elite gymnastics has not suffered.
Simone Biles, considered the GOAT of the sport, has thrived under this new scoring system. Women’s college gymnastics has also seen an up-and-down relationship with perfect 10s, with some gymnasts’ perfect marks helping increase interest in the sport.
The Role of Digital Marketing and Social Media
In recent years, several floor routines have gone viral on social media, regardless of whether they received a perfect 10.
The quality of performance, choreography, music selection, and schools’ investments in digital marketing have played significant roles in these viral moments. For instance, LSU gymnast Lloimincia Hall’s 2014 routine went viral due to its engaging performance, and the perfect 10 she received likely aided its discoverability.
The Importance of Fair and Consistent Scoring
While the new judging system aims to provide fair and rigorous evaluations, it has led to confusion among fans who are used to higher scores.
Dunne emphasized that fair scoring is essential, but the sudden change in scoring standards can be confusing for fans, especially those new to the sport. This confusion could lead to fan disengagement, which is a significant concern for the long-term popularity of women’s college gymnastics.
The Emotional Impact on Athletes
For many gymnasts, receiving a perfect 10 is a culminating career moment. Dunne highlighted the emotional significance of achieving this milestone, especially for athletes who have endured abuse and hardships in their careers.
College gymnastics often serves as a light at the end of a dark tunnel for these athletes, and the excitement and recognition that come with high scores are part of their happy ending.
Support from Fellow Gymnasts
Dunne has received support from many other gymnasts who share her concerns about the new judging system. These athletes feel that the lower scores have made the sport less exciting and enjoyable.
While the scores should be a means of evaluating performances, they also carry emotional weight for the athletes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Gymnastics
Dunne’s comments are not just about her or LSU; they reflect a broader concern for the future of women’s college gymnastics. Smaller programs without the support and resources of schools like LSU may struggle to survive if they cannot maintain fan engagement and popularity.
With the upcoming changes in revenue sharing, it is crucial to keep the sport relevant and in the public eye.
As women’s college gymnastics continues to grow in popularity, it is essential to strike a balance between fair scoring and fan engagement. The sport must adapt to changes while ensuring that it remains exciting and enjoyable for both athletes and fans.
Livvy Dunne’s concerns highlight the need for thoughtful consideration of how scoring and other factors impact the future of gymnastics.
For more insights into Livvy Dunne’s thoughts on the future of women’s college gymnastics, visit the original article on The Guardian.
Get the latest sent right to your inbox
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews