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A thread on the pandemic, junior hockey and the financial realities of return to play.
Spoke with 5 execs across the CHL to see how financially tough this season is going to be for their clubs...
Spoke with 5 execs across the CHL to see how financially tough this season is going to be for their clubs...
One exec called the situation "grim" because so much of the revenue comes from ticket sales. An exec in a different league said tickets are arguably "70% of a team's revenue."
Even with fans in the stands, how many buildings will be operating at their pre-pandemic capacities?
Even with fans in the stands, how many buildings will be operating at their pre-pandemic capacities?
One exec said they were hoping to re-hire everyone laid off (some early in the pandemic) but that doesn't seem realistic now. Many are/will be operating with bare-bones staff and I know of a few staffers who have been helping out for free.
A number of them said they were trying to figure out how to financially survive this season -- these are mainly small/medium markets ie. not London Knights. Three execs said they were using government wage subsidies (I didn't ask the other 2) to help keep their current staff.
If subsidies end soon, they would likely be in trouble. One exec said with subsidies/grants & reduced/regional travel he might be able to make a budget work with 2,000 fans -- far less than their average.
But how many fans are comfortable going to games even with precautions?
But how many fans are comfortable going to games even with precautions?
All of this is to say, even with junior hockey returning many will still be unemployed and facing financial hardship. Often these are big jobs in small towns, many filled by young people looking for experience. And it sucks.
