Risto Jalo talks about Ilves’ finances: “You meant to go too far”

Supporters of the lynx have created a great atmosphere in the new arena. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP

Only five years ago, Ilves fought for different things, even for his existence.

Former owner Vincent Manngardin During this time, Ilves’ league license was at stake and the club was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Following the ownership arrangements that took place five years ago and the share issue that generated almost two million euros, Ilves-Hockey Oy is the CEO Risto Jalon led handsomely into a growth career.

Prior to the arrival of the interest, the company had a best profit of EUR 561,000 in the financial year 2018–19. Since then, audience restrictions have also put a strain on Ilves’ finances, with a loss of € 113,000 last season.

– At that time, we started quite a long way back in 2017. I was the top chairman of the board, and it was really up to the weeks to see if I had to put the tag forward that this was here. You meant to go too far, Jalo recalls the times when the future of the club was on the edge of a knife.

Critical moments

In general, finances allow a team to operate. In the spring of 2017, the opposite was true in Ilves: the team helped the club survive financially.

Ilves, who was the last to play in the playoffs, won the third and decisive match of the weather players in Pori 1–0. Aleksi Mustonen hit the winning goal with extra time.

– It was a good weather to get on and against Tappara, Jalo says dramatic moments.

The local semi-final series in Tampere ignited the supporters of both clubs and filled Hakametsä. Ilves gave Tappara, who won the regular season and was on his way to the championship, a surprisingly strong resistance and stretched the series to seven matches.

– It became the first budding feeling about the kind of dam that the supporters had that Ilves would one day be a better cared for club. And, of course, everyone longed for athletic success.

– It was an important thing for us when raising capital. We cashed in on those games. Fortunately, a few things got in the way, and new owners from Tampere were involved in the rescue operation.

The athletic credibility of the lynx returned as head coach at the time Karri Kiven under.

– There was a little boom in it. Through it, piece by piece has been built. The aim is to learn from old mistakes and not try any shortcut to happiness, Jalo describes.

New arena

Ilves secures its future by also seeking new business as a source of income for adversity such as a pandemic. The company owns a slice of the Roof Tampere LKV housing business and is also involved in the Padel 247 playground.

Of great importance, of course, is the new Nokia arena completed under Christmas.

– First of all, it was of great importance to me personally that the project was coming when I left to take up this job, Jalo says.

– When Ilves and Tappara are well, it is both to their advantage. For decades, Tapparahan has managed things well and managed sports and finances. When we’ve come along, here’s a pretty good buzz overall.

– The new hall came at a great time. Hakametsä served well, but now we can continue to develop professional sports. Let’s stay on the map in Europe and be able to challenge others in the CHL, and in our own league we have the opportunity to rise to the top.

The third place in the regular season and the return to the medal games are an indication that the rise mentioned by Jalo has already taken place. The last time Ilves won the semi-finals was in 2001, when the last medal, the bronze medal, also came.

Some works

The increased capacity brought about by the move has become a necessity. The traditional winner Tappara is athletically ahead with his regular season win, but Ilves, who is making a new comeback, is a tougher audience magnet.

In the fifth semi-final against Kärpp, Ilves set his playoff record at 11,744. The club has been a pioneer in the league in marketing and especially on social media.

– We have a huge team out there, good guys with heart, Jalo thanks.

– We’ve also invested in it. We understand that this is an important factor and we want to get the young crowd excited about hockey and lynx.

– Looks like we succeeded. We have a rather youthful look, and the old veterans of Hakametsä have mostly stayed with us.

More than 13,000 spectators sold out The pulling arena was in the opening matches of the hall, where Tappara will host Ilves first and then vice versa.

The final series between the teams is a big dream for Tampere, but there is still a long way to go.

– It would be a tough thing for all hockey fans, Jalo believes.

– It has been glowed for decades, and it would be great if it ever came. On the other hand, it is the same who is being met. Everyone has to win if they want to win the championship.