Olivia Dunne sounds alarm on 'empty seats' in gymnastics, suggests judges' scoring may be part of issue

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expressed concerns over the lack of viewership in women's gymnastics, speculating that the judges and scoring system may also be contributing factors.

The Tigers were upset in a SEC matchup against Arkansas, coming in as the nation's No. 2-ranked team.

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I'm watching NCAA gymnastics right now and the empty seats are really worrying me. As someone who cares deeply about the growth of women's sports, especially in the NCAA, I think it's essential to understand what gets crowds pumped. If we want fans to enjoy the sport and increase viewership, we need to figure out what makes the crowds go wild. I mean, people already get what a perfect score is, so let's reward the athletes who do incredible skills that look amazing.

It feels like too many deductions are being called at a judge's discretion, much like watching a basketball or football game that's constantly interrupted with penalties. At a certain point, it gets too negative and takes away from the entertainment value that draws spectators in. I'm getting a lot of questions from fans about the scoring system, and that's why I'm bringing this up. I appreciate the art and complexity of gymnastics, but we need to make it more appealing to a wider audience.

Dunne mentioned that she may have a "unique" viewpoint on the matter due to the enlarged following she developed outside the sport.

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"This isn't about LSU, it's about the sport," she wrote in a separate post. "In my 5th year, I have a casual fanbase, so maybe I'm in a unique position to notice what's happening with fans differently than people just looking at attendance figures. Fans are confused.

I also dedicate time to raising funds for female athletes, and I'll always be a voice advocating for them. Changes that make a game more exciting for the fans can also impact athletes' financial stability. To keep generating revenue for female athletes, female sports in the NCAA need to concentrate on increasing fan interest and engagement.

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The viewership for the national championships on TV decreased by more than 100,000 people from 2023 to 2024.

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Olivia Dunne flags concern over 'empty seats' in gymnastics, insinuating judges' scoring may play a role.