NBC Olympics figure skating coverage at Milano-Cortina 2026 showcased a cultural shift, as competitors displayed friendship and support rather than the icy rivalries that once defined women's figure skating.
The most visible example came from Team USA's self-proclaimed Blade Angels, as NBC showed Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito celebrating together throughout the Games. While Liu won gold, all three skaters expressed genuine affection for each other.
"I just adore these two ladies," Glenn told reporters in January. "I've seen them grow up since being little children, and to see them here as incredible women is probably one of the most wonderful experiences I've had in skating."
After topping the podium in Milan, Liu also praised her US teammates.
"I love Isabeau's wittiness. Truly, she's the funniest person I've ever met," Liu said. "And then Amber, she has so much love, and I love that."
Former Olympian Gracie Gold described the isolation women's figure skaters often experienced during her competitive years. "I still love skating, but it was how I coped with everything around it, and some parts of the culture and some people in the sport that I think need to change," she said in 2024.
26-year-old Glenn also remembers that intensity. She said younger women like Liu, 20, and Levito, 18, don't understand why NBC reporters keep calling their Olympic friendship unusual.
"They don't quite know what the atmosphere might have been like before," she explained. "Not that it was all bad, but there was definitely some intensity."
Figure Skaters Showcase Support as NBC Olympics Cameras Watch On
Japanese bronze medalist Ami Nakai exemplified this shift when she celebrated with Liu as the judges read the final scores, with NBC Olympics cameras capturing Liu and Nakai hugging and jumping up and down as Nakai's coach wiped away tears.
"I honestly didn't think that I was going to win a medal, so when I found that out I was overjoyed," Nakai later reflected via a translator. "Alysa Liu actually came up to me and said, 'Congratulations, it's amazing that you won a medal on your first Olympics.'"
"She's just so cute. She's so happy on the ice," Liu said. "I was like, 'I gotta celebrate like she did.'"
Caitlin Clark made her NBC pregame show debut on Sunday, offering insights into her upcoming third WNBA season while expressing admiration for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
During NBC's Basketball Night in America ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks broadcast, Caitlin Clark highlighted specific aspects of Doncic's game she hopes to incorporate into her own play. The Indiana Fever star praised the NBA player's versatility and basketball intelligence.
Caitlin Clark emphasized Doncic's singular ability to excel without relying solely on athleticism or speed. She also noted his exceptional passing and scoring skills, praising how he manipulates defensive positioning to create advantages.
According to Clark, Doncic uses his body to keep defenders at bay — a skill she hopes to further develop. The WNBA superstar acknowledged that while Doncic may not always be the fastest or most athletic, his spatial awareness and tactical decision-making set him apart.
Clark also weighed in on NBA legend Michael Jordan's take on hostile road environments. She expressed gratitude to Indiana Fever fans traveling to away games, noting strong support in venues the New York Liberty's Barclays Center and the Valkyries' always-packed San Francisco arena. Following Jordan's philosophy, Caitlin Clark stressed silencing opposing crowds quickly by forcing early timeouts.
During the broadcast, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year competed in a HORSE competition against NBA icon Jamal Crawford, showcasing her own shooting prowess.
She later revealed a desire to play at Madison Square Garden, joking about taking on any team willing to play the Fever at the iconic NBA venue.
How to watch Caitlin Clark on NBC Sports this NBA season
Clark will next join Basketball Night in America on March 29th, adding commentary before the Knicks face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark is back in the spotlight, with NBC announcing on Tuesday that the Indiana Fever guard will join Sunday's Basketball Night in America NBA pregame show as a special contributor.
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year will man the NBC Sports desk before the LA Lakers take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, sharing analyst duties with host Maria Taylor and retired NBA icons Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, and Vince Carter.
"I'm really excited to be part of the Basketball Night in America crew this season," Clark said in Tuesday's statement. "Carmelo, Vince, and Tracy are legends of the game, and Maria is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season."
Following her Sunday debut, Clark will next join the broadcast on March 29th, adding commentary before the visiting Knicks face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"There's no more iconic figure in basketball in the women's game right now, or the game in general," NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood told the AP. "So, we said, 'Let's have a bigger conversation.'"
How to watch Caitlin Clark on NBC Sports' Basketball Night in America
Clark will join the NBA pregame show at 6 PM ET on Sunday, airing live on NBC.