IL: A new top series is coming to Finland – The league is about to be destroyed!
A new professional ice hockey league is being planned in Finland, reports Iltalehti. The same topic is also covered by Sanoma Media and Yle.
According to media reports, the ambitious project is being driven by the former chairman of Tappara, Heikki Penttilä, through his company Causabon Oy. Several clubs have been invited to negotiations.
According to Penttilä, the new league could start as early as the fall of 2026.
– Finnish ice hockey has fallen behind Europe’s top leagues by many measures. We need to raise the standard, and it must be done quickly, Penttilä states in his announcement.
The goal of the major project is to rejuvenate the brand of ice hockey.
– We want the sport to appeal to a wider audience and attract new fans. The potential is enormous, but it requires modern and bold thinking.
According to the current plan, the open league would feature 10-12 teams.
According to Iltalehti, the new league is backed by Liiga clubs that are frustrated with the current league’s decision-making, playoff revenue sharing, number of teams, and many other issues.
The league would include at least Tappara, HIFK, TPS, Kiekko-Espoo, Kärpät, JYP, Ässät, and Jokerit, which plays in Mestis, according to IL.
A commissioner will be appointed for the new league, similar to the NHL, who would be the face of the league in public and have the authority to decide on smaller matters.
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