Millions of losses shock – IL: The league's giant clubs face a harsh financial statement

The financial situation of the league clubs is once again a topic of discussion before the start of the new season. Although official financial statements have not yet been published, several clubs are expected to face significant losses.

According to Iltalehti reports, both the reigning Finnish champion Tappara and Ilves are expected to incur million-euro losses. Ilves’ loss is estimated to rise to as much as 1.5 million euros. Kiekko-Espoo is also expected to be significantly in the red, and the financial problems of Pelicans and Jukurit have been known for some time.

The chairman of the league’s board, Jyrki Seppä, considers the situation concerning.

– It is concerning if, despite being the Finnish champion, one still incurs financial losses. That is not a good situation.

According to Seppä, athletic success should be reflected better in the clubs’ finances, but this is not happening at the moment.

Tappara and Ilves received significant additional income from the ice hockey World Championships held in Tampere in the early years of the Nokia Arena. According to Seppä, those extra revenues have since disappeared, and the clubs have returned to what he describes as “harsh reality.”

He states that the high cost level of the Nokia Arena alone does not explain the current situation. Although the attendance figures for the Tampere clubs have been exceptionally high in recent years, that alone is not enough to cover the increased expenses.

– Of course, we want to attract more spectators, but that alone does not solve this problem.

According to Seppä, the rise in costs is widely reflected in the daily lives of the league clubs.

– It must be remembered that the clubs are large employers. The general wage development is following its own course, as are all rents, energy costs, and so on. All of these have been on the rise, and it is difficult to manage that situation.

The upcoming league season, starting in early September, is highly anticipated also due to the new league system. The three last teams in the regular season will be relegated to the B-league.

According to Seppä, the goal is to increase the excitement of the league and simultaneously grow interest among both consumers and partners. He also estimates that the improvement of the general economic situation could ease the clubs’ circumstances in the coming years.