Yahoo Sports Olivia Dunne Calls Out NCAA Gymnastics Scoring After Being Frustrated with ‘Empty Seats’ at Her Last Meet
The college athlete and NIL star said fans are "confused" by low scores, and that they contribute to a hard-to-watch product
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Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers looks on during a meet against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 23, 2024Olivia Dunne is worried about the lack of fans at NCAA gymnastics meets — and is using social media to express her concerns.
"I care deeply about the growth in women's sports especially in the NCAA," Dunne, 22, wrote on X on Sunday, Jan. 26. "If you want fans to enjoy the sport and increase viewership, you have to look at what makes the crowds go crazy!"
The fifth-year LSU gymnast said that fans "want people who do things that look great to be rewarded," and compared "too many deductions taken at a judge's discretion" to "a basketball game that's constantly interrupted with penalties."
"At some point it feels negative and loses the entertainment factor that draws the crowd in," Dunne continued, noting that fans are confused by the scoring in gymnastics.
James Gilbert/Getty
Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers competes during a meet against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 23, 2024"The number of questions I am currently getting from fans about the scoring is significant enough for me to share this concern. I love the art and intricacy of gymnastics but let’s get more eyes on the sport!"
She went on to clarify that her concern isn't just about LSU. "This is about the sport," Dunne wrote. "I’m in my 5th year and I have an audience of casual fans so maybe I’m in a unique position to see what is happening with fans differently than people just looking at attendance numbers."
Dunne — who is dating MLB star Paul Skenes — added that she is overwhelmed by the amount of messages she received from people feeling the same way on the topic.
Related: Olivia Dunne Puts Boyfriend Paul Skenes Through Gymnastics Training: 'Not Very Aerodynamic'
"I also spend time raising money for female athletes and will always advocate for athletes," she wrote. "Making changes that can impact the entertainment value will affect athletes financially as well. Female sports in the NCAA have to focus on building crowd engagement to continue to get revenue support for the athletes."
Stew Milne/Getty
Olivia Dunne of LSU warms up on the uneven bars during a gymnastics meet against Auburn at Neville Arena on February 10, 2023In July 2024, Dunne announced she was returning to LSU for a fifth year. Her announcement came after the Tigers won the NCAA gymnastics championship in April.
“Dear LSU, these past four years have changed my life,” she said in the video post announcing her return. “There’s something about putting on a purple and gold leotard. There’s something about competing in front of 13,000 screaming Tiger fans.”
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She continued, “There’s something about being pushed by your coaches to be your very best. And there’s something about being a part of a team that made school history.”
On Dec. 15, the gymnast graduated from the university. She posted a handful of photos from the graduation day with the caption, “OFFICIALLY AN LSU GRAD🐯,”
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