KHL Expansion part II

[BalticWarrior]

Thx and that is great. I admit that KHL, especially some clubs, need to make better PR/marketing or sport club management as you call it. If we want good euro league (NHL/soccer level), we need this management/marketing stuff. Russians dont know it historically, but they can learn from abroad. Thefore KHL needs german club (you know how Germans are in planning things etc) and other Euros.

We`re looking at you,Ak Bars.

 

[Vicente]

We`re looking at you,Ak Bars.

And yet some people will write again that Ak Bars doesn't need big marketing because of where they get their money from bla bla. And they don't see that it's not good for the league if some teams don't have the best product.

 

[BalticWarrior]

And yet some people will write again that Ak Bars doesn't need big marketing because of where they get their money from bla bla. And they don't see that it's not good for the league if some teams don't have the best product.

They will start marketing their team eventually,im sure.They will have to do it,as there will probably be pressure from KHL itself.

 

[Finnpin]

Jokerit is well known here for treating their players (especially) the foreigners very well...making sure their housing/living etc. is going well...actually many of the foreigner players (with no big family) live in "apartment hotels" where they get their own privacy and bigger space compared to normal hotels and have for example hotel customer service phone numbers etc. if in need for help. Also there was a vote in SM-liiga which team offers the best food for visiting team: Jokerit won it. Only two examples but both includes too to the sport club management department. There is many things and departments to run a club and making even the little things work is important.

 

[BalticWarrior]

Jokerit is well known here for treating their players (especially) the foreigners very well...making sure their housing/living etc. is going well...actually many of the foreigner players (with no big family) live in "apartment hotels" where they get their own privacy but have for example hotel customer service phone numbers etc. if in need for help. Also there was a vote in SM-liiga which team offers the best food for visiting team: Jokerit won it. Only two examples but both includes too to the sport club management department. There is many things and departments to run a club and making even the little things work is important.

Thats very cool to hear,a top notch organization from the sounds of things for sure.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Jokerit is well known here for treating their players (especially) the foreigners very well...making sure their housing/living etc. is going well...actually many of the foreigner players (with no big family) live in "apartment hotels" where they get their own privacy and bigger space compared to normal hotels and have for example hotel customer service phone numbers etc. if in need for help. Also there was a vote in SM-liiga which team offers the best food for visiting team: Jokerit won it. Only two examples but both includes too to the sport club management department. There is many things and departments to run a club and making even the little things work is important.

Ah, well, that's why they have just one third of their budget allocated to salaries.

 

[Jussi]

The KHL has destroyed what quality was left in the SM-liiga, and will continue to do so. This is natural progression. KHL has been trying to get Finnish teams join since 2008 and because the western/central European progress on a league has been abysmal it's finally reality. Western/central Europe will apparently start some new league in 2014 that's played alongside the national leagues, but like always, it will probably fail. Many Finnish teams still have high hopes that it'll work, but like Harkimo, they will soon have to face reality and seriously think about the KHL if they want to expand their business. This is a revolutionary move by Jokerit and a great chance for Finnish hockey. If all goes well for them we might see a second Finnish team in the KHL within 5 years. I know Kärpät has been itching for more international hockey for years now, has been approached by the KHL and with plans to build a new arena the KHL might become reality if the plans for a central/western European league fall through. However, it would require an influx of money from outside.

Exciting times.

It's a Champion's league/Cup with 8 teams, half from KHL.

 

[Jussi]

KHL is also going to learn from Jokerit:

http://en.khl.ru/news/2013/6/28/25174.html

"We can also get an insider’s grasp of the Jokerit business model and spread these practices to Russian clubs, who are still lagging behind in terms of sport club management".

http://en.khl.ru/news/2013/6/28/25173.html

"The experience we will gain of running the arena can be of benefit to KHL clubs who can adopt Jokerit’s modern management structure.â€

Jokerit business model being losing money every year, I think other KHL clubs have that already covered.

 

[Finnpin]

Jokerit business model being losing money every year, I think other KHL clubs have that already covered.

Jokerit team was "losing money" as lots of accounting operations were running through Hartwall Areena accounting which makes profit. No other SM-liiga team has similar system.

 

[Jussi]

Jokerit team was "losing money" as lots of accounting operations were running through Hartwall Areena accounting which makes profit. No other SM-liiga team has similar system.

It doesn't make profit: http://www.kauppalehti.fi/etusivu/jokerit+ja+hartwall+areena+raskaasti+tappiollisia/201306450419

 

[Finnpin]

It doesn't make profit: http://www.kauppalehti.fi/etusivu/jokerit+ja+hartwall+areena+raskaasti+tappiollisia/201306450419

Seems they haven't been doing good past few years then...but it's hard to see the bigger picture as there is so much different companies behind everything. Good time to sell then

 

[Jussi]

Seems they haven't been doing good past few years then...but it's hard to see the bigger picture as there is so much different companies behind everything. Good time to sell then

Past few years? Try never. It's no secret that Hartwall Areena has been a moneyhole throughout it's existence.

 

[stv11]

Everyone please stay on topic. If you want to discuss standard of living or imigration policies, there is a political board to do it. This thread is here to discuss KHL expansion.

If any other post has to be deleted, infractions will be given.

 

[vsk92]

IS there a mandatory amount of years Jokerit have to commit to this project?

Say thing's don't workout as expected i.e. fans remain unhappy and don't turn out to watch, popularity of KHL stagnates etc. Would Jokerit be able to go back to SM-Liiga say in 5 years time?

 

[Finnpin]

IS there a mandatory amount of years Jokerit have to commit to this project?

Say thing's don't workout as expected i.e. fans remain unhappy and don't turn out to watch, popularity of KHL stagnates etc. Would Jokerit be able to go back to SM-Liiga say in 5 years time?

Good questions but I guess nobody has answers.

 

[vorky]

IS there a mandatory amount of years Jokerit have to commit to this project?

Say thing's don't workout as expected i.e. fans remain unhappy and don't turn out to watch, popularity of KHL stagnates etc. Would Jokerit be able to go back to SM-Liiga say in 5 years time?

Jokerit is not a member of KHL, but I am sure, it will be. I want to underline this again.

Yes, club can leave KHL if KHL decides to do it. I can not imagine the club to opt out KHL, especially if is owned by russians who are running KHL Look, Arkady Rotenberg is a member of KHL board of directors (or whatever it is) and Genandy Timchenko is president of this board. Using other words, Timchenko is no.2 person in KHL, Rotenberg in top 5/10 for sure. Sure, they will want the finnish club to leave KHL especially if they tried for yrs to aquire finnish KHL team.

In theory - yes, Jokerit can leave KHL one day. In reality - I dont believe it at all, no chance (if the owner is Timchenko/Rotenberg)

Timchenko/Rotenberg said in press that they did not buy Arena and stake in Jokerit to force club to join KHL, but they think it is a best for club.

As I replied to Finnpin, KHL is run by professionals who have money... can it be said about SM-Liiga (with all my respect to this league), svk/cze/swe/ league etc?

 

[Finnpin]

As I replied to Finnpin, KHL is run by professionals who have money... can it be said about SM-Liiga (with all my respect to this league), svk/cze/swe/ league etc?

I don't see them as totally pros in KHL when looking at some given suspensions from last year or letting one goon team make havoc there for years. Money they have though.

 

[QnebO]

Russia will ALWAYS be the "core" of the league. A situation where 50% of the teams are non-Russian is a pipe dream. It will not happen. In order to have a strong KHL we need strong Russian hockey.

I think 5-6 teams from Russia would be very good, then 1-2 from other european countries that have hockey + try to get london and paris in somehow, maybe 3 from some countries at best. That's only if you want to make it better. In your opinion it seems like you want it to be Russian hockey league, but looks like KHL has opinion like they want to be next NHL in the old continent.

 

[Medo]

I remember reading that it was minimum of 3 years in Medveščak's case. I don't if that was individual for us or general rule.

 

[vorky]

I don't see them as totally pros in KHL when looking at some given suspensions from last year or letting one goon team make havoc there for years. Money they have though.

I dont say everything is ideal in KHL or all things were good. On the other hand when I look at guys running svk/cz league and KHL, I have no doubt who is professional or more-pros if you want...

One more time, KHL is not ideal and wont be when Jokerit joins, so prepare yourself for "shocks", but I consider KHL as best run league in Europe.

Hope Jokerit joins to KHL which will have not problems with calendar ... really hope.

 

[vorky]

Medo

It is definitelly not a rule, can be ad-hoc agreement with newcomer. The same like having MHL team. Non-russian club does not have it, but who knows? Having MHL is good if you are from country when jr league is not good.

Yes, I can imagine non-russian club to leave KHL if is not succesfull (I mean not only attendance...). I am 100% sure that Jokerit and Medvescak will be sucessfull projects in KHL.

 

[QnebO]

On jokerit budget from mtv3:

"Budjetti kolminkertaiseksi
Harkimo sanoi perjantain tiedotustilaisuudessa, että KHL:ssä Jokerien kahdeksan miljoonan euron budjetti pitää moninkertaistaa."

That would mean that the total budget is 8M and it should be tripled, would mean 24M budget for Jokerit in KHL. The three million were only the player salaries last year.

 

[Finnpin]

Medvescak. Can somebody give a short info about how they will enter KHL? russian ownership? what companies are behind them?

The three million were only the player salaries last year.

End of the year correct number was 3.7M.

 

[vorky]

On jokerit budget from mtv3:

"Budjetti kolminkertaiseksi
Harkimo sanoi perjantain tiedotustilaisuudessa, että KHL:ssä Jokerien kahdeksan miljoonan euron budjetti pitää moninkertaistaa."

That would mean that the total budget is 8M and it should be tripled, would mean 24M budget for Jokerit in KHL. The three million were only the player salaries last year.

24M is one of biggest budgets, definitelly the biggest from non-russian clubs. If I know, club needs 4-6M euro for travelling, front office, coaches etc, the rest for player´s salaries (salary cap this season 3/5M - 26M euro)

Medvescak. Can somebody give a short info about how they will enter KHL? russian ownership? what companies are behind them?

End of the year correct number was 3.7M.

As I know, nothing official yet, Medvescak will announced sponsors at presser before new season. Rumours say, current owner is staying, international sponsors, including from Russia (Sberbank, Aeroflot, Gazprom etc), coming.

 

[ficohok*]

Medvescak. Can somebody give a short info about how they will enter KHL? russian ownership? what companies are behind them?

AFAIK - no russian ownership...at least not for now.

"Večernji list" reported today that Medvescak secured near 8 milion euros already (and they budget is supposed to be between 10 and 13 milions). Some big croatian companies reportedly backed up "Medvescak in KHL" project. Hopefully article will be online soon (for Vorky ), I read it hastily in paper edition.