When the season started in November last year, the main sponsor Sparebank1 announced that they will not extend their agreement with the Norwegian cross country team. A few days ago came the next million bang: another big sponsor thanked himself.
In addition, the corona eruption has resulted in the suspension of several revenue-generating competitions, which has made the Norwegian ski association's already strained economy worse.
But now Sparebank1 and the cross-country team have agreed on a new agreement that is valid for more than two years, with the possibility of extending for another three. Financial visibility means that it costs ten million Norwegian kroner a year, the union writes in a press release.
- In today's situation, it is crucial to work at the top level as now, says length manager Espen Bjervig to NRK.
- We would have had to make major structural changes had this major sponsor agreement not been in place.
But the agreement is worth SEK 5 million less per year compared to before. This means, among other things, that the riders lose individual scholarships and are now expected to work in their own sponsors to be exposed to the clothes.
- They have the opportunity to collect the lost scholarship income by going out and selling themselves. Now, that may not be the best timing considering the market, Bjervig says.
- But if the practitioner is struggling to get sponsors, we will see what we in the ski association can help with.