10 out of 14 SHL clubs have lowered their player budget ahead of the season due to financial uncertainty.

Linköping had already before this season decided on an investment and together with Oskarshamn they are the only clubs that have budgeted with a more expensive player budget.

- Linköping is one of the five teams with the lowest player budget, but before this season we had decided to take the next step.

For over time, the team with the highest player budget is at the top.

There can of course be exceptions.

Therefore, we had decided to set that budget, says Linköping's chairman and acting club director Roger Ekström to SVT Sport.

- And we still have that budget, but with the prevailing circumstances we have not used it because there is no room for it at the moment.

State aid

Like all other teams, Linköping has received state support from the Swedish Sports Confederation and through short-term layoffs.

Roger Ekström explains how it goes together with an increased player budget.

- Yes, Amanda Lind (Minister of Sports) has been clear that we in sports should use the tools available to the rest of the business community.

We are a group with a turnover of SEK 160 million and then short-term work is a way to solve it.

We use it on administrative staff and so far parts of the player squad.

The government has opened up to take more people into the arenas in the future.

In a consultation response, the Swedish Public Health Agency has proposed a maximum ceiling of 500 people.

If it becomes a reality, it would mean increased costs for a club like Linköping, according to Roger Ekström.

- But of course we can not help but let in, but we must make sure that supporters and partners can start coming in and watch the matches.

But financially, the proposal of a maximum of 500 people is not good for the clubs of this size.

Gets ready for Christmas

Despite the fact that Linköping has budgeted with a more expensive player budget, Linköping can only manage for Christmas without other measures from, among others, the state, sponsors or members.

- Otherwise we have no money to pay player salaries and rents with.

We often talk about the SHL with the players and coaches there.

But down there are 700 young people, a women's team and an academy and it would be terrible if we had to close down.

It is the SHL team's finances that provide a prerequisite for running this business.