Amber Glenn Wins Third Straight U.S. Figure Skating Title on Road to Milan Olympics

ESPN, originally the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is a dominant American sports media corporation headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut. Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, ESPN pioneered the concept of a 24-hour all-sports cable network, quickly establishing itself as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." Today, ESPN is owned 80% by The Walt Disney Company and 20% by Hearst Communications, operating as ESPN Inc. The organization broadcasts from its main studios in Bristol, with additional offices and studios across the U.S., and reaches audiences globally through 64 linear networks and digital platforms in 141 countries. ESPN’s rise was fueled by securing broadcast rights to major professional and collegiate sports, making it a household name. At its peak in 2011, ESPN reached over 100 million U.S. pay TV households, though that number has since declined to about 70 million as viewership shifts toward digital platforms. ESPN’s portfolio now includes seven U.S. cable networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network), ESPN on ABC, ESPN Radio, and a robust digital presence via ESPN.com, the ESPN App, and ESPN Fantasy Sports. A key achievement in recent years is the launch of ESPN+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service introduced in 2018, which has expanded to include thousands of live events and original programming. In August 2025, ESPN launched a new flagship direct-to-consumer product, offering two subscription tiers—ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select—providing access to all ESPN networks and exclusive content. This move reflects ESPN’s strategic pivot to adapt to changing media consumption habits, including partnerships with entities like WWE for premium live events. Despite facing challenges such as rising broadcast costs and criticism over coverage biases, ESPN remains a major force in sports media,

**U.S. Figure Skating** is the **national governing body** for figure skating in the United States, recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act[1][2]. Founded in 1921 with seven charter member clubs, the organization has grown into one of the strongest and largest governing bodies within the winter Olympic movement[2][4]. The organization's primary mission is to "provide programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating on ice"[2]. U.S. Figure Skating operates as an association of member clubs, collegiate institutions, and school-affiliated programs, currently comprising over 176,000 members across more than 740 clubs and affiliated organizations, along with more than 990 registered Basic Skills programs[4]. U.S. Figure Skating's responsibilities encompass developing the sport at all levels, establishing rules and guidelines, sanctioning competitions and exhibitions, appointing officials, and organizing events[1][2]. The organization sanctions more than 1,300 events annually, ranging from local club competitions to regional and sectional championships that feed into the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and international competitions[4]. Over the past seven years, approximately 20,000 figure skaters have competed at the regional level alone[4]. As a member of the International Skating Union (ISU), U.S. Figure Skating represents the United States in international figure skating governance[1][2][4]. The organization operates under core values including excellence, integrity, respect, resilience, and community[1]. Structurally, U.S. Figure Skating is governed by elected officers at national, regional, and club levels, with a Board of Directors comprising sixteen members including the president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, coordinators, coaches, and athletes[2]. The organization also maintains cooperative agreements with the Ice