Salary Delays and Financial Crisis in KHL: Lada Tolyatti Faces Growing Challenges Amidst Governor’s Oversight

Questions for the governor.

For a while in the KHL there was a surprising calm regarding financial problems among teams. Even in more “fat” times, no, no, there was news about salary delays at some clubs. “Siberia” stood out, “Sochi” had constant problems. Southerners, like Siberians, have solved their problems. However, they were replaced by new heroes of offensive news.

This is not the first time Salavat Yulaev’s players have faced salary delays. This is because of the special nature of financing the Ufa club. Through various structures, money comes from Rosneft, which once included Bashneft. Such a complex scheme means that money is directly involved. This last incident led to rumors that the team’s top scorer Joshua Livo wants to leave Ufa.

Only Salavat Yulaev solved his problems by paying all the wages to the players when Lada took over this dubious baton. It first came to light at the end of October that the residents of Tolyatti owed players for September. This information was confirmed by the rule of the first non-Moscow champion in Russia.

“As I said earlier, we expect to pay​​​​​​​​​on November 18; our salaries have not been paid​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ We have submitted the application, we are waiting for the money and we will pay it later. Yes, there is some tension in the team about this. We then held a meeting and explained it to the boys. They said they will play because they are professional about their job.”said General Director Lada Alexander Chebotarev.

Yuri Kuzmin, photo.khl.ru

According to various sources, Lada players are not only delayed in their salaries, but also not paid bonuses. In addition, logistical problems arise. Togliatti recently decided to switch from conversations to regular flights. At least when it comes to flights to Moscow. What is normal for the VHL, is almost an emergency situation for the KHL. However, recently a whole group of clubs have started saving on chats. Lada is not alone here. And not all charter planes look as reliable as those that fly on regular flights.

Against this background, Oleg Bratash’s team looks quite reasonable. There may not be many benefits in October, but there is more to the matter. Despite salary delays and injuries, the Volga team is not falling head over heels, but they are fighting honorably for a place in the playoffs. One version of why Lada had financial problems is related to the changed policy of local authorities.

“I have decided to conduct comprehensive audits of budget spending by sports clubs in the Samara region over the next two months. Our goal is not to cut costs. The aim is to increase the efficiency of club management and ensure financial control. We will definitely develop teams according to the guidelines of the federal center and our ideas. Clubs must play at a high level and involve youth and fans in their activities as much as possible. At the same time, take care of the interests of the region and develop a great sport.”,” Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said recently.

RIA Novosti

The head of the department reassured fans that professional clubs will not die and “will only grow stronger,” but at the same time he announced the redistribution of budget funds. According to Fedorishchev’s opinion, the money should be directed, first of all, to big sports. While professional clubs are guaranteed to get commercial sponsors. However, this has not happened yet. Not only Lada suffers, but also Krylia Sovetov. According to rumors, part of the money to be paid to the hockey players of Togliatti was transferred to Samara for the needs of the football club.

“As far as I know, the players want to organize another meeting with a representative of the regional leadership and have a substantive discussion and ask their questions. The time of the meeting will depend on the availability of the regional leaders. We already had an assistant to the governor who will be in charge of professional sports. He came to the team for one of the games and went into the locker room. I told the boys that the government will fulfill its obligations, and we will continue to play. And because we have a delay in salary, that year, in December, they also happened. The conversation happened at one of the recent home games.”“Chebotarev comments on the situation.

Several years ago, when the KHL was pursuing its strategy, the league promoted budget cuts. This vector should have led to the reduction of situations such as in Tolyatti. The clubs managed to take several steps towards the commercialization of Russian hockey, but after the introduction of sanctions, most companies did not have time for professional sports. The clubs were issued by those governors who are interested in the social role of local teams. But for every sports ruler, there is a Fedorishchev. And there is no insurance against this.