EVZ soon "financially at the end"?

The EV Zug is awaiting the decision of the Federal Council with great concern. Managing Director Patrick Lengwiler says clearly: "If we are deprived of all our economic substance, we will be financially at the end."

EVZ Managing Director Patrick Lengwiler believes it is understandable and comprehensible that certain measures must be taken to limit the damage to public health. But: "You cannot exclude spectators from major events and also offer no financial support to the clubs." Patrick Lengwiler stresses that interest-free loans cannot be the solution. When ‘ghost games’ take place (i.e. without spectators), "I expect help from the federal government in the form of A-fonds-perdu (non-repayable loans) contributions quickly and without red tape." Sport is a mainstay of society. "And I mean not only professional, but also grassroots sport."

In the catacombs of the Bossard Arena: It could soon look similarly bleak for the EVZ.

3,800 spectators are currently allowed to attend the games of the EV Zug (Zug Ice Hockey Club) in the Bossard Arena. "Our protection concept has worked perfectly so far," says the managing director. As the stadium can only be occupied up to 53 % due to the protective measures, the damage for the financial year 2020/21 is now projected to be between CHF 4 to 5 million. The Zug club has already tightened its belt with various measures such as wage cuts of up to 25% for the approximately 120 permanent employees.

Even a well-placed club such as the EV Zug cannot survive financially in the long term without spectator revenues, says Patrick Lengwiler.

"If we are deprived of every economic substance, this is something we cannot cope with, and we will then be financially at the end. We don’t have a magic wand."