Legacy On Ice: Skating Community Unites To Honor Victims Of January Plane Crash

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED March 1, 2025: The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation will open a benefit auction on Sunday, March 2 at Noon (EST) ahead of the Legacy on Ice figure skating tribute, offering additional opportunities to support communities impacted by the Ronald Regan National Airport aviation tragedy.

All auction proceeds will benefit the families and first responders impacted by the January tragedy through the MSEF Legacy on Ice program.

The auction features a slate of special offerings graciously donated by Washington sports teams, businesses, and community groups, including autographed items, tickets to DC teams home games and gift cards to local restaurants and hotels.

See the full list of auction items and place bids once the auction opens here.

ESPN: The Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning will wear special helmet decals for their game in Capital One Arena March 1 in support of the figure skating community and all those affected by the Flight 5342 tragedy Jan. 29

The helmet decals feature a figure skate and a hockey skate with the date "1.29.25" encircled in the outline of a heart.

Legacy on Ice, scheduled for March 2, a benefit for the families and loved ones affected by the Flight 5342 tragedy, is being coordinated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals.

February 25, 2025: A literal Who’s Who of the ice skating world and many others will gather on March 2 in Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. for Legacy On Ice, a tribute and benefit for victims and families of the midair crash near Ronald Reagan International Airport on Jan. 29.

The event will air live on Peacock (3 PM ET), and be televised live on Monumental Sports Network throughout thr DMV region, with an encore on NBC March 30.

Co-hosts are Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi.

Among the scheduled participants are Scott Hamilton, Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski, Nathan Chen, Nancy Kerrigan, Peggy Fleming, Gracie Gold, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment, U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire & EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation organized the tribute.

Legacy on Ice will honor the 67 lives lost — including skaters and family members from the Skating Club of Boston and the Philadelphia Skating Club — and raise funds to support victims’ families and the first responders and aviation professionals who “worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the tragedy.”

All proceeds will be collected by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and distributed to the U.S. Figure Skating Association, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund,” and DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

“We are fortunate to have a platform to honor the 67 people we lost and remember the extraordinary impact they made during their lives,” Ted Leonsis, Monumental Sports & Entertainment chairman and CEO, said via the group.

“By raising funds to support their families, we hope to provide a small amount of comfort during this terrible time.”

The event is being supported in part through contributions from partners including Venture Global, American Express, DXC Technology and MGM National Harbor, with more sponsorships to come.

Most of the DC sports teams are also involved, including Monumental Sports & Entertainment-owned NBA Wizards, NHL Capitals, WNBA Mystics and NBA G League Capital City Go-Go; as well as NFL Commanders, MLB Nationals, MLS United and NWSL Spirit.

A Web site offers updated information on the program as well as a link to purchase tickets.

A separate site offers a way to donate directly.

“As we begin to heal from this devastating loss, we look forward to honoring the enduring memories of these athletes, coaches and family members who represented the best of the figure skating community,” Samuel Auxier, U.S. Figure Skating interim-CEO, said via the organization.

“We can think of no better way of celebrating their legacies than through the sport they loved.”

According to Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, representing the DCA Together Relief Fund established with the Capital Region Community Foundations, via the group, “Our Greater Washington community is at its strongest when we come together as neighbors helping neighbors.

“Our hope is that the DCA Together Relief Fund can in some small way help bring comfort and healing to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Through the generosity of our community and partners, we will stand united in remembrance and resilience.”

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