The general meeting of the SM league decides, among other things, how many teams will play in the series in the future. Many other important issues will also be decided there on Thursday.
The league organization confirmed to Iltalehti that there will be three future series models on the table at the meeting.
They are 12+10 and 14+10 team models so that the SM league would manage both series levels and direct relegation and promotion would be included.
The TV money would be divided between both series levels.
In the third model, the number of teams in the SM League would be increased for one or two seasons and then reduced to 12 or 14 teams, depending on what the general meeting decides on Thursday.
The fourth and grimmest picture of the future is that none of the proposed models will receive the qualified majority required by the rules (2/3) in the meeting.. In this case, the League would have to continue with the current league system.
This model also has its supporters among the members of the SM league.
Tappara and Ilves belong to a small group of big organizations in the League. The SM league has lost its positions in the competition of European hockey leagues. AOP / MIKA KYLMÄNIEMI
According to information received by Iltalehti, only two of the proposals are suitable for large clubs and a large part of medium-sized clubs. They are the 12+10 team model or temporarily increasing the number of teams in the League.
The players’ association SJRY and the consulting company EY, which annually analyzes league hockey from a financial angle, are in favor of a twelve-team main league.
Several league team presidents have stated to the undersigned that ending up with a 14+10 team model would probably destroy the SM league in its current form.
In that case, the new league engineered by Tappara’s former chairman Heikki Penttilä would gain more support and would indeed become a viable option – if it isn’t already.
The design of the series in question is ongoing, and it is much further along than many in the disc circles want to admit.
Also the fourth option, i.e. continuing with the current model, would probably destroy the 51-year-old SM league. This is an option that no hockey insider seems to believe in, but still very many bring it up in discussions.
Thursday’s meeting is therefore absolutely hugely significant for top Finnish ice hockey. The stake is even the existence of the SM league in its current form, a lot of money and people’s jobs both in the rink and in the offices.
TPS’s Victor Sjöholm drives Kiekko-Espo’s Joakim Hirschovits into the plank. AOP / MATTI RAIVIO
If the puck masters can’t come up with any kind of reform decision, i.e. the League will continue in its current form, so the professionalism of the presidents of the clubs must be questioned.
For years, about six small ones (and a couple of medium-sized clubs) have been able to compete with the great sporting and business development of the SM league. A large part of those clubs themselves make an ugly financial result, i.e. a loss, every year.
The bosses of the clubs in question now have to think for a moment about the whole, the big picture, not just their own club and their own personal position in the social circles of their hometown – or soon there will no longer be an entity called SM-liiga oy to think about.
On the other hand, the presidents of the clubs that have been pushing for changes for years must also be brave and decisive and, if necessary, walk out of the entire SM league, if it is still unable to renew itself as a company.
In this country, it is possible to play elite hockey under a company other than SM-liiga oy, if it is not able to make changes that move Finnish hockey forward.
The time for change is now, according to all known facts.
The number of teams in the SM league must be radically reduced. 12+10 teams would be the right model either directly for the 2027–2018 season or after one extended “super season”.
The income distribution of the playoffs must change, and the first and second leagues must be truly open, i.e. direct promotion and relegation must take place at the end of each season.
That’s also what KKV wants, which intensively but behind a real fog curtain investigates the doings of the SM league.
The players are also waiting for decisions and changes, many of whom have told their agents that they don’t want to sign a contract for next season yet, when there is no information in which league format or in which series they will have the opportunity to practice their profession next season.
The TV companies that are involved in future media contract negotiations are also waiting for solutions and changes. Current or new series.
Above all, the fans are waiting for solutions.
KalPa is the defending Finnish champion. HIFK is having a bad season. Matti Raivio / AOP
There are good things in the SM league cities. You can feel it when you look over the side of the rink and the shy cabinets to the provinces.
The city of Rauma and Rauma Lukko oy have negotiated the basic improvement and development project of the Äijänsuo ice rink. The estimated total cost is 20 million euros, and it is planned to be completed at the end of 2028.
According to media reports, Lukko is putting more than seven million euros of its own money into the project. Something good must be on the horizon when such a massive investment is made under Finnish conditions.
At the end of the decade, a new multipurpose arena will be built in Lappeenranta, which would finally be SaiPa’s new home. According to hockey rumors, SaiPa is very much involved in the new hockey league project planned by Heikki Penttilä, as is Vaasan Sport.
Growth in operations is being sought quickly in South Karelia as well. The game in the rink continues for the second season in a row.
The Jyväskylä and Oulu arena projects are on fire. Things are happening behind the scenes in Helsinki and Turku as well.
So the puck business has the potential to grow properly within a couple of years, if the major leagues can still support the development of the sport and its economy.
The whole thing is now up to the bosses of the league clubs.