Winter Sports: FIS Chairman Johan Eliasch Breaks His Silence: "They Want FIS to Be History" | SVT Sport

Johan Eliasch, chairman of the International Ski Federation (FIS), has refused interviews since the conflict with Sweden and other top nations regarding the new proposal called "Snowflake" became public. Now, he breaks his silence and strikes back.

–

They want to become the new international skiing federation and for FIS to be history.

The conflict revolves around the television and marketing rights to competitions under FIS. Despite criticism from several ski nations, the FIS board recently voted to allow itself the authority to decide on a new agreement without the approval of member countries.

For the first time, Eliasch speaks to SVT, NRK, and Yle during a conference in Slovenia, after being tight-lipped about the issue.

Eliasch expresses disbelief at the criticism from the top nations, who he claims were uninformed about the potential impact of the newly adopted decision.

–

Do they need to know that? You need to ask yourself. It's complete nonsense.

Eliasch dismisses their concerns, asserting that FIS is working on a measurable proposal that allows for input from nations—but they failed to provide any counterproposals.

According to Eliasch, the new deal is more beneficial compared to the current one, stating that the present agreement guarantees 20% less revenue with no upside.

He accuses the leading seven nations in Snowflake of not responding to a contract draft sent by FIS nine months ago.

–

It’s a rather strange way to work towards an agreement. They actually wanted us to transfer ownership and control to Snowflake, which would then become the new international ski federation while FIS would presumably cease to exist. That was their vision of centralization.

Numerous federations he has spoken to have expressed a lack of trust in FIS and claimed he micromanages the organization. His response is that the last proposed constitutional changes received 97% approval at the 2021 FIS extraordinary Congress, and there was overwhelming support for their strategic plan and a majority in the board.

After around nine minutes, Eliasch abruptly ended the interview.

Background to the Conflict

Previously, different World Cup organizers could sell their TV rights. However, FIS, under Johan Eliasch's leadership, seeks to reform this system.

Last summer, FIS announced an agreement with the rights company Infront for a centralized deal, which was met with backlash from many member federations dissatisfied with the agreement.

Countries, including Sweden, have formed a group called "Snowflake" to advocate for a resolution to the issues at hand. Despite the dissatisfaction and threats that the Snowflake countries would start their own World Cup, the FIS board late last month voted to continue making decisions without member consensus.