The Finnish Ice Hockey Championship announced on Wednesday that it will still accept new license applications for the 2024–25 season from outside the current major league clubs.
SM-liiga therefore reversed the decision of the extraordinary general meeting made earlier, according to which it would not accept license applications for the season in question. Chairman of the Ice Hockey Championship League Heikki Hiltunen explained the changed situation in roundabout terms to .
– We use a valid process that has been in use for a long time since the last teams entered the League. And there, according to the annual agreement between the SM League and the Ice Hockey League, clubs from outside the league can also apply to the League with certain criteria. They comply with the valid agreement between the union and the League, says Hiltunen.
This provides an opportunity for, among others, Kiekko-Espo and Jokeri, who have expressed their interest in the SM league. All interested parties will be in a hurry, because the deadline for applications is already October 31. Chairman of the Jokers Mikko Saarni told Urheilu immediately after the news that Jokerit is not going to apply for a SM league license for next season. Kiekko-Espoo will tell more about its plans on Thursday, October 5.
Is the time window, which closes already at the end of October, even realistic for the license application?
– If there are those willing, then surely they have known the schedule of the matter all along. This has been a continuous process for several years. In that respect, people and clubs can submit their applications on schedule. I don’t think this is a problem for anyone, says Hiltunen.
The Mestis club Kiekko-Espoo has already announced that the club will announce its own further plans on October 5. Is it a coincidence that just a day before, the SM League announced that it will still accept new license applications for the 2024-25 season from outside the current major league clubs?
– We have confidential discussions with Kiekko-Espoo all the time. We are certainly aware of each other’s activities on both sides. As for the schedule, the SM league has already moved forward its own, future league process for more than a year, the SM league boss states.
– In the spring, we wanted to take more time for it, because we are going through a transition phase. With this, we wanted to ensure equal treatment for both current and possible future clubs. The process takes time, but we have made significant progress during the summer and we will have the opportunity to make certain, significant policies hopefully in a week from now at the general meeting, Hiltunen continues.
According to Hiltunen, it is important that people following the issue get a picture and also information that difficult and complex issues are being actively taken forward.
– We have developed different models, where we want to take this. Now the intention is to bring about discussions and decisions at the company’s meeting. With this, we can build certain culmination points, based on which we can proceed in more detailed plans and negotiations with different parties, explains Hiltunen.
In a week, the first decisions about the future of the SM league
The discussion about the future of the ice hockey men’s SM league and the new league system will probably get its first, concrete steps when SM-liiga Oy organizes its general meeting on October 12.
The ice hockey boss said that, among other things, the Ice Hockey Association, the Players’ Association and possibly the ownership side need to negotiate and reach an agreement on the SM league shareholder agreement and also regarding different scenarios, if and when the current situation changes.
According to all legal scholars, the closed series model of the SM league joint-stock company does not withstand the perspective of competition law examination. The matter has previously been commented on, among other things, by a deputy referee who has often spoken out against the closed SM league Olli Rauste.
Read more: The SM League shuddered with its change of heart – sports law experts commented on the surprise announcement: “A precedent even from the taxi industry”
– We have our own expert opinion on the current criteria of the SM league. It stands up to comparison because there are financial matters, the redemption of league stock and everyone has the opportunity to apply for that process. It also includes the agreement between the Ice Hockey League and the SM league. According to our experts, our model is functional and compliant with the law, emphasizes Hiltunen.
The league boss has reportedly followed Mesti’s increased positive buzz with joy.
– It’s not a surprise when you compare it to, for example, AIK and Djurgården, who play in Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second highest league level), and how many spectators there are also in the capital region. If we have a million people living in the area, then yes, when Kiekko-Espoo and the Jokers meet, the hall must be full.
– It’s really great that the audience comes to Mestis. Increased competition increases interest in different locations. This is also wonderful for Finnish ice hockey and provides financial security and development opportunities for the clubs, sees Hiltunen.