Musician Raises Questions After Olympic Skater Uses Song Without Permission
Ta-Nehisi CoatesAuthor and journalist whose work on culture, race, and history includes writing for Marvel's "Black Panther."
A recent incident at the 2026 Winter Olympics has ignited a debate surrounding music licensing and usage in high-profile sporting events. Musician Seb McKinnon discovered that his song, 'The Return,' was featured in figure skater Amber Glenn's routine without his consent. This revelation, which came to light after the performance was broadcast globally, prompted McKinnon to question the standard practices for music usage in the Olympics, highlighting a potential gap in how artists' intellectual property is protected and compensated on such a grand stage.
The incident unfolded when Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who creates music under the moniker CLANN, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to express his surprise. He queried whether it was common practice for an Olympic figure skater to use his music without permission for their routine, especially given its worldwide broadcast. Amber Glenn, a 26-year-old figure skater, incorporated McKinnon's track into her free skate during the team event in Milan, Italy. Despite some initial errors, Glenn’s performance contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory, thanks to a strong showing by teammate Ilia Malinin.
Following his initial post, McKinnon's query received clarification through X's Community Notes feature. This insight revealed that while the music was broadcast on television, implying a form of synchronization licensing, the actual licensing agreement he has with his label stipulates that he alone must approve any music usage. This distinction between broadcast and direct artist approval sparked further discussion about the intricacies of music rights in televised sporting events. However, McKinnon later expressed his support for Glenn, congratulating her on her gold medal win.
The Associated Press reported that Amber Glenn had been using 'The Return' in her routines for more than two years without any prior issues. This extended usage underscores the complex nature of music licensing for athletes. Although skaters are typically required to secure permission for their chosen music, the process is often complicated by factors such as the ownership of master recordings, the involvement of multiple rights holders, and the use of altered or re-edited song versions. Representatives for Team USA and Glenn have yet to comment on the matter, leaving many questions about the current system unanswered.
This situation is not isolated. Spanish athlete Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté encountered similar copyright challenges with his Despicable Me-themed figure skating routine just before the Olympics. Despite submitting his music through the official ISU ClicknClear system months in advance and using the program throughout the season, he was informed days before the event that he could not use the music due to unresolved copyright issues. Fortunately, after a concerted effort involving Universal Pictures, ClicknClear, RFEDH, Sony Music, Juan Alcaraz, and Pharrell Williams, Sabaté was able to secure the necessary licenses and perform his Minions program, highlighting both the difficulties and potential resolutions in such cases.
The controversy surrounding Seb McKinnon's music at the 2026 Winter Olympics underscores the critical need for transparent and efficient music licensing processes in international sporting events. It draws attention to the often-overlooked complexities artists face when their work is featured on a global stage, prompting calls for greater clarity and adherence to intellectual property rights for all parties involved.
