Post by JP on Dec 16, 2007 15:29:53 GMT 1
The Star reports
Russian tycoon plans European competitor that will go after players
Dec 15, 2007 04:30 AM
Rick Westhead
Sports business columnist
A Russian tycoon with a lifelong love for hockey has hired former NHL Players' Association head Bob Goodenow to help start a new pro league in Europe that would compete for players with the NHL.
Spearheading efforts to start the league is Alex Medvedev, 51, deputy chief executive of Russian natural gas producer Gazprom – and captain of his company's hockey team.
The likelihood of a new European league has increased in recent years as hockey federations in Russia and elsewhere in Europe have grown disenchanted with the NHL over its recruitment of their best players.
At the same time, Medvedev has ample dollars to start a competitor to the venerable NHL. In an interview from Russia, Medvedev confirmed that former Russian NHL star Igor Larionov and Goodenow are members of a so-called "working group" that's starting the league. Goodenow travelled to Moscow this week to discuss the prospective league, Larionov said.
Medvedev's representatives already have contacted broadcasters and sponsors, and could start the league as soon as September 2008, Larionov said. An executive with Finland's public broadcaster, YLE, confirmed he was approached several months ago about buying rights to televise the new league.
Currently, top teams in Europe frequently lose players under contract to the NHL. In exchange, they get just $200,000 (U.S.) per player. The teams argue that's not enough and the debacle has prompted hockey federations in Russia and Sweden to sever ties to the NHL.
News of Goodenow's involvement is a surprising twist. He was sacked by the NHL Players' Association two years ago after players insisted on signing a new labour contract with the NHL.
It's unclear whether the league – which Medvedev said could formally be announced as soon as today – would honour NHL contracts.
Either way, Gazprom's money would be key in recruiting top talent. While it may not be known across North America, Gazprom is an energy juggernaut and provides roughly one-quarter of the natural gas for Europe. Its market capitalization rivals that of General Electric Co. and Microsoft.
Before the 2006-07 season, Gazprom bought a controlling stake in the SKA St. Petersburg club. Medvedev is its president.
The Russian magazine Argumenti i Fakti reported the team doubled its budget to as much as $20 million. Former Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Barry Smith now coaches St. Petersburg.
Medvedev said the new league would probably start with teams in Western Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, and could also feature clubs in cities such as Kiev, Ukraine; Riga, Latvia; and Astana, Kazakhstan.
Russian tycoon plans European competitor that will go after players
Dec 15, 2007 04:30 AM
Rick Westhead
Sports business columnist
A Russian tycoon with a lifelong love for hockey has hired former NHL Players' Association head Bob Goodenow to help start a new pro league in Europe that would compete for players with the NHL.
Spearheading efforts to start the league is Alex Medvedev, 51, deputy chief executive of Russian natural gas producer Gazprom – and captain of his company's hockey team.
The likelihood of a new European league has increased in recent years as hockey federations in Russia and elsewhere in Europe have grown disenchanted with the NHL over its recruitment of their best players.
At the same time, Medvedev has ample dollars to start a competitor to the venerable NHL. In an interview from Russia, Medvedev confirmed that former Russian NHL star Igor Larionov and Goodenow are members of a so-called "working group" that's starting the league. Goodenow travelled to Moscow this week to discuss the prospective league, Larionov said.
Medvedev's representatives already have contacted broadcasters and sponsors, and could start the league as soon as September 2008, Larionov said. An executive with Finland's public broadcaster, YLE, confirmed he was approached several months ago about buying rights to televise the new league.
Currently, top teams in Europe frequently lose players under contract to the NHL. In exchange, they get just $200,000 (U.S.) per player. The teams argue that's not enough and the debacle has prompted hockey federations in Russia and Sweden to sever ties to the NHL.
News of Goodenow's involvement is a surprising twist. He was sacked by the NHL Players' Association two years ago after players insisted on signing a new labour contract with the NHL.
It's unclear whether the league – which Medvedev said could formally be announced as soon as today – would honour NHL contracts.
Either way, Gazprom's money would be key in recruiting top talent. While it may not be known across North America, Gazprom is an energy juggernaut and provides roughly one-quarter of the natural gas for Europe. Its market capitalization rivals that of General Electric Co. and Microsoft.
Before the 2006-07 season, Gazprom bought a controlling stake in the SKA St. Petersburg club. Medvedev is its president.
The Russian magazine Argumenti i Fakti reported the team doubled its budget to as much as $20 million. Former Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Barry Smith now coaches St. Petersburg.
Medvedev said the new league would probably start with teams in Western Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, and could also feature clubs in cities such as Kiev, Ukraine; Riga, Latvia; and Astana, Kazakhstan.
