Skiing Boss: "There has been quite a hard tone"

On the one hand: Controversial FIS chief Johan Eliasch. On the other: Eight of the skiing world's heaviest nations, including Sweden. At stake: Many millions of kronor. There has been quite a hard tone between certain countries and FIS, says Swedish skiing boss Karin Mattsson about the negotiations for a new TV deal.

» Updated: June 25 2024

» Published: June 24 2024

Skiing Boss: "There has been quite a hard tone"
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

On the one hand: Controversial FIS chief Johan Eliasch.

On the other: Eight of the skiing world's heaviest nations, including Sweden.

In the pot: Many millions of kronor.

There has been quite a hard tone between some countries and FIS, says Swedish skiing boss Karin Mattsson about the negotiations for a new TV deal.

The conflict between the leadership of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the largest skiing nations is about how the negotiations for future TV rights should be conducted. A struggle that affects all skiing disciplines within FIS.

In the pot, there is a lot of money combined with influence over TV rights in one's own country.

The controversial FIS chairman Johan Eliasch wants to introduce centralised negotiations. The goal is to create greater revenue opportunities through TV rights. Even smaller skiing nations would get more money. Additionally, it would create more order and structure, as the skiing sport's TV agreements are a messy story.

So far, each host country of World Championship events has been able to negotiate TV rights themselves. This has meant that most nations have signed agreements that mean World Championship events are broadcast outside of public service. In Sweden's case, World Championship events are broadcast on Viaplay. Austria is the exception, having signed an agreement with the country's state-owned TV company. Norway has taken a middle path.

Has created "Snowflake"

Furthermore, the nations have different lengths for their TV agreements. Sweden's agreement expires after the next two seasons. Other nations' agreements expire in 2031.

Several member nations have protested against centralised negotiations. The atmosphere in the discussion became so inflamed that eight nations (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia) formed the group Snowflake. It was speculated that this could be the beginning of a "breakaway league" from the World Championship.

Karin Mattsson now explains that Snowflake's purpose was to become stronger at the negotiating table:

This was to find a good negotiating balance and be able to move forward. It has also happened. The roles are a bit different today. Snowflake has had a significant impact on deepening knowledge and looking at different models and getting the best possible deal, she says.

"Will become a centralised agreement"

Karin Mattsson testifies to a tough atmosphere in the negotiations:

There has been quite a hard tone between some countries and FIS. There have been tough discussions. But it's important to help each other so that we get the best possible working method. It's not easy when so many interests need to be reconciled.

How will the conflict end?

I think it will become a centralised agreement and that it will be better for everyone. We are working on getting an agreement that is better for Sweden compared to what we have today. I can't say more than that since we are in negotiations, answers Karin Mattsson, who is aware that time is running out since the current Swedish TV agreement only has two years left:

It's high time we started moving forward.

When it comes to World Championship events in the different skiing disciplines, they are negotiated centrally by FIS.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Gjert Ingebrigtsen Emotional in Courtroom
1 MIN READ

Gjert Ingebrigtsen Emotional in Courtroom Testimony

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to Secure World Championship Gold

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but Goalkeeper Injury Raises Concerns

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in Allsvenskan Opener

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF
1 MIN READ

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF with Two Goals in Home Opener

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö
2 MIN READ

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö FF After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy
2 MIN READ

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy World Championship Gold

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March
1 MIN READ

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March in Stockholm

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India
1 MIN READ

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India as Dantorp Falls Short

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double Wins in Ski Classics Finale

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole
1 MIN READ

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole Breaks, Ending Race Hopes in Norway

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in World Championship Opener

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines with 14 Points in Miami Win

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career
1 MIN READ

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career High in Detroit's Win Over Boston

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best
1 MIN READ

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best with 17th Place Finish in Boston

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula
1 MIN READ

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula to Win Miami WTA Title

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight
1 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight PGA Tour Battle in Houston

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive,
2 MIN READ

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive, Set to Face Karlskoga in Semifinals

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two Goals in Sporting Lisbon Victory

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory
2 MIN READ

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory with Double Strike in Allsvenskan Opener

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Newcastle Celebrates League Cup Victory with Heroic Isak

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and
1 MIN READ

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and Åhman Fall in World Quarterfinals

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson Clash Over Injury Claims

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling
1 MIN READ

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling 22-Mile Nordenskiöldsloppet Ski Race

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as
1 MIN READ

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as Star Jonathan Dahlén Suffers Injury

Kristoffer Olsson Returns to Sweden
1 MIN READ

Kristoffer Olsson Returns to Sweden After Leaving Midtjylland

Sweden Dominates USA 22-0 to
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates USA 22-0 to Reach Bandy World Championship Final

Färjestad Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive with Crucial Win Over Skellefteå

Malmö FF Triumphs Over Djurgården
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Triumphs Over Djurgården in Allsvenskan Opener

Häcken Faces Second Straight Loss
2 MIN READ

Häcken Faces Second Straight Loss in Women's League Struggles