What is the extent of the USFSAs life ban? Does it completely prevent Tonya from skating?
Officially, no. The US Figure Skating Association only controls what is known as “Olympic eligible” (often erroneously referred to as “amateur”) skating. The life ban that was imposed by the USFSA only prevents Tonya from skating in USFSA sanctioned events. In theory, Tonya is still free to skate in other unsanctioned events such as ice shows or “pro” competitions where no USFSA skaters are involved. Unfortunately, top-level skating is pretty much a closed shop and there appears to be strong anecdotal evidence that an organized conspiracy exists amongst elite pro skaters to blackball Tonya from the ice. We have heard strong rumors from reliable sources that many top skaters have “no-Tonya” clauses in their contracts, for instance. Another rumor also suggests that Paul Wylie put the hard word on promoter Dick Button when Button announced he would have no problem with Tonya appearing in one of his events shortly after Lillehammer. In addition, former skater Christopher Bowman (not a man
