will there be a EIHL next season?

[smbmetal]

It certainly is which is encouraging.

However listening to Tony’s latest interview start up costs for EIHL teams are huge. Starting with say 50% attendance would be a good start, but as Tony says, if a 2nd lockdown came into force as winter approaches then playing behind closed doors wouldn’t be an option and clubs would struggle massively financially.

Starting an indoor sport has huge risks while Covid is still around.

[DiscoRay]

It sounds like they allowed 30% attendance for the world snooker final.

It has also been announced today that they're going to start allowing crowds back in to lower level football.

I wonder if the EIHL could operate at say 50% attendance.

At least things are starting to move in a positive direction.

Neil Black has already stated less than 80% capacity is not viable, which doesn't account for the risks of any further local/regional lockdowns due to outbreaks in flu season.

[mark]

It sounds like they allowed 30% attendance for the world snooker final.

It has also been announced today that they're going to start allowing crowds back in to lower level football.

I wonder if the EIHL could operate at say 50% attendance.

At least things are starting to move in a positive direction.

Neil Black has already stated less than 80% capacity is not viable, which doesn't account for the risks of any further local/regional lockdowns due to outbreaks in flu season.

Will venues reduce their costs to the same percentage ? , will the players reduce their wages ?. I suspect the answer to both is no.

[tonedef]

It sounds like they allowed 30% attendance for the world snooker final.

It has also been announced today that they're going to start allowing crowds back in to lower level football.

I wonder if the EIHL could operate at say 50% attendance.

At least things are starting to move in a positive direction.

Neil Black has already stated less than 80% capacity is not viable, which doesn't account for the risks of any further local/regional lockdowns due to outbreaks in flu season.

Will venues reduce their costs to the same percentage ? , will the players reduce their wages ?. I suspect the answer to both is no.

I tend to take a different, more optimistic view. Venues will accept a reduced cost rather than no cost, as the longer they stay closed the less likely they are to ever open again. Players similarly have a limited lifespan, would they prefer a year where they earn a reduced pay packet or a year when they earn nothing, surely?

[Doom]

It sounds like they allowed 30% attendance for the world snooker final.

It has also been announced today that they're going to start allowing crowds back in to lower level football.

I wonder if the EIHL could operate at say 50% attendance.

At least things are starting to move in a positive direction.

Neil Black has already stated less than 80% capacity is not viable, which doesn't account for the risks of any further local/regional lockdowns due to outbreaks in flu season.

80% is a big ask for the start of December.

I wonder when the cut off will be for the league to make a decision. If it's at 50% by the end of October, do they gamble in the hope that the capacity will keep increasing for the start of December or do they call it a day and mothball the season?

Some tough decisions ahead.

[DiscoRay]

Will venues reduce their costs to the same percentage ? , will the players reduce their wages ?. I suspect the answer to both is no.

I would suspect the scope is limited for venues to do so, you can't cut the cost for example, to get the ice plant running, the ice down, then all the subsequent on-going maintenance. Whitley Bay Ice Rink were in the press a few weeks ago, stating the false start cost them a hefty 5 figure sum, as on top of getting the ice back down, they brought all the needed staff back from furlough and the last minute postponement meant the rink having to absorb two weeks of near full running costs with zero income to offset it. I can't think of many other venues taking that kind of gamble in my opinion.

80% is a big ask for the start of December.

I wonder when the cut off will be for the league to make a decision. If it's at 50% by the end of October, do they gamble in the hope that the capacity will keep increasing for the start of December or do they call it a day and mothball the season?

Some tough decisions ahead.

I would guess the final decision will be made just before its time for Steelers and Devils to tell the IIHF their intentions to participate or not in the European competitions.

From all I've been hearing, mothballing until next season is far safer financially for the clubs. As opposed to starting late, for then any government enforced shut-downs to return, and all the fallout that come with that, particularly ticket refunds to fans, sponsor refunds, players looking for pay cheques elsewhere (or do they hang off a couple of weeks continuing to pay them on the off chance it's just a couple of weeks pause?) and clubs potentially having to spend even more cash to get replacements in should things resume again etc. and so on.

[DimTim]

https://www.iihf.com/en/news/20364/iihf ... 8b87QiAcdc


Continental Cup cancelled

[DimTim]

Todd Kelman on his Devils Twitter session tonight saying Sept 15 is latest decision day for EIHL.

[raetiamann]

Kelman has reportedly told his players to go play elsewhere for the season. If correct, that says where his mindset is.

[raetiamann]

And Panthers have had a policy of not signing up players for 20/21 also indicates the position down the road.