• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

Adam Rippon Will ‘Break the Ice’ With New YouTube Show

Adam Rippon Break the Ice
Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Rippon Break the Ice
Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Rippon gets asked to go ice skating a lot. So the Bronze medal-winning Olympian decided to create a show out of it.

“People always say, ‘Let’s get coffee,’ and you never end up doing it,” said Rippon, who retired from competitive figure skating in November. “This is something I really wanted to do, get people out on the ice, talk about things that are important, laugh and joke and fool around.”

That led to the launch of his new YouTube show, “Break The Ice,” where Rippon and his guest hit the rink to chat about topics fun and serious before the episode concludes with guest trying the skating technique they learned.

The first season, which is made up of eight, 10-minute episodes,  features guests Lilly Singh, Manny MUA, Gus Kenworthy, Maddie & Mackenzie Ziegler, Raymond Braun, Todrick Hall, Jasmine Luv and Molly Burke.

Rippon has also built out his YouTube channel with weekly Monday and Friday vlogs, allowing fans a deeper look into Rippon’s life.

He felt the launch of the YouTube channel would be a good platform to start the series, and he plans on continuing it for multiple seasons, whether it lives on the channel or moves to a more traditional platform. But the channel also holds an important brand aspect for Rippon, who recognizes the power of YouTube beyond other social media channels.

READ MORE: Alex Rodriguez Takes Fans Behind the Curtain With New YouTube Channel

This week, he’ll vlog from BookCon, where he’s promoting his new memoir, “Beautiful on the Outside.”

“What I hope with the vlogs is to really show behind the scenes of what I do, like these are the things you do when you’re promoting a book,” Rippon said. “As opposed to Twitter or Instagram, it’s an unedited version, so you can get to know someone. And when the content is a little bit more long form, you get to know that person a little better, feel like you’re catching up.”

Rippon worked closely with digital production studio Portal A to launch the YouTube channel and film “Break the Ice.” Portal A has worked to launch many YouTube channels and is now breaking further into the space with established personalities like Rippon, recently launching “5 Minutes From Home” with Steph Curry and Unanimous Media.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Portal A Co-Founder Nate Houghteling said the production team was excited to work with Rippon, and the vision for his new property emerged quickly upon meeting.

“With Adam, the things that jumped out were his authenticity, how he was willing to produce an unvarnished appearance of himself,” Houghteling said. “Modern fans can spot BS and spin millions of miles away, and Adam cuts through that; he doesn’t have time for it. He knew it would create that direct connection.”

The growing trend of established names, especially athletes, making their way to YouTube channel is for a variety of reasons, and Houghteling echoed Rippon’s thoughts on it helping to build a deeper connection with fans outside the narrow performance window. The platform also provides a great place to develop an athlete’s media presence, as well as incubating projects.

Developing a YouTube channel also can present unique brand opportunities – deals that studios like Portal A can then create, Houghteling said. Recently, Portal A fostered a deal between Lyft Entertainment and Curry’s “5 Minutes From Home” interview show.

While YouTube channels can be thrown together, Houghteling said for them to be truly successful it takes planning — almost like programming a TV network.

READ MORE: Here to Stay: Generation Z’s Impact On Sports Content Strategy

“It’s that level of thought and production to really find that deeper connection,” he said.

Rippon has high hopes for “Break the Ice,” and he’ll continue to have a wide array of guests. – his wish list includes the likes of Oprah and Michelle Obama. Regardless, he’s just happy to still be on the ice, entertaining people.

“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I feel so lucky to do so many things in the entertainment space. It’s such a passion of mine, I love entertaining people and I feel so grateful to be doing it.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Michael Johnson

Grand Slam Track Still Owes Athletes $13 Million: Source

The new track league hasn’t paid athletes in full yet.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
July 2, 2025

As NBA Free Agency Quiets, Focus Shifts to Potential Extensions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million extension.
Nike banners featuring Caitlin Clark are installed along the eastern side of Des Moines' Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
July 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe Could Be $100 Million Business: Sneaker Expert

Clark’s shoe could rival top NBA signature lines.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
July 1, 2025

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
July 1, 2025

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive
July 1, 2025

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.
Shai
July 1, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

The superstar could’ve waited for an even bigger deal next year.