TPS also aims to save on the operating costs of its expensive home hall.
Turku Sanomat says, that TPS, which plays in the ice hockey SM league, will start a drastic austerity. The Turku club aims to save up to 2.2 million euros for next season.
The savings target is significant, because, for example, in the previous period, TPS’s total turnover was 11.7 million euros.
It is planned to cut half a million euros from the player budget and the same amount from other personnel expenses. The team’s player budget this season is 2.8 million.
– Of course, it is a really sad situation that we have to give up many players whose contracts expire this season. We would like to have many of them, TPS sports director Rauli Urama commented to Turku Sanom.
Urama estimates for TS that TPS will have to give up nine players, as a result of which 700 000–750 000 euros would come out of the salary budget.
– In their place, we bring three or four new players who can pay a total of around 200,000 euros.
Losses of millions
One big item of expenditure for TPS has been its home hall. According to Turku Sanomat, TPS is now aiming to save on, for example, the rent and operating costs of Turkuhalli.
The club is negotiating with the hall company owned by the city of Turku about a significant rent reduction.
– We pay a total of 1.4 million euros per year in rent and various operating expenses for the hall. This is significantly more than other Liiga clubs, TPS CEO Aki Holma told Turku Sanom.
The operation of TPS has been loss-making for several years. For example, in the period 2022–2023 HC TPS Turku Oy made a loss of 2.9 million euros. TPS said in the press release published on Thursdaythat this season the losses will be around 2.4 million.
During the last ten years, losses have totaled almost 20 million euros.
The main owners of TPS are those who got rich from the gaming company Supercell Ilkka Paananen and Mikko Kodisojawho have invested large sums in the company and offset losses.
CEO Aki Holma told Urheilu in September that the main owners still have enough patience for the current season. TPS started the current season with a smaller budget than usual.
TPS is currently ranked 11th in the league and is fighting for the last playoff spot. The team still has three home games left in the regular season. Today it hosts JYP in a match starting at 18:30.
As usual, the matches of the day will be watched on ‘s ice hockey circuit.