During a press conference on Wednesday, the chairman of Kolstad Handball, Jostein Sivertsen, says that the players have agreed to take a pay cut for the coming season. Since autumn 2021, Kolstad Handball has had an ambitious venture. The club won everything in Norway last season and will debut in the Champions League in September. – It has never been the intention to deceive the players, we have acted in good faith, says the chairman. The club has now decided to cut all wages above 6G by 30 percent in the 2023/2024 season. Sivertsen will not go into how much money is involved. – Many are both disappointed and angry at Kolstad, and at me personally. Here we have had tunnel vision and taken too great a risk. Both I and the club are sorry for that. If there is talk of bonuses, this will go to the players affected by the pay cut, according to Sivertsen. Marked a change in the sponsorship agreements During the press conference, Sivertsen said that it was going well to get money from sponsors until autumn 2022. But then the club noticed that it was getting more difficult. – Some companies cut their sponsorship budgets. December 2022 was actually so bad that we saw that it might be difficult to pay salaries. With good help from sponsors, they still reached the finish line. – We then made the big mistake of informing the player group about the situation, but we had three fantastic players sitting in Germany who were not informed, says Sivertsen. During the last time, Kolstad has brought home several high-profile players. Including Sander Sagosen, Magnus Abelvik Rød and Gøran Johannessen. – In retrospect, it was a very bad assessment. Both Sander Sagosen, Magnus Abelvik Rød and Gøran Johannessen will remain in Kolstad. Photo: Bjarte Johannesen / news Sivertsen explains that the reason why the players in Germany were not informed was to not worry them. Leaving the club Yesterday it also became known that the Icelander Janus Smarason chose not to accept a pay cut, and he instead signed for the German Champions League champion Magdeburg. – We feel that both Janus and his agent have acted in an orderly and professional manner in this matter, says a press release from Kolstad. Players who earn over NOK 711,000 have been told that they must cut their salary by 30 per cent this year, and 20 per cent next year. During this process, Smarason’s agent has been contacted by several top international clubs. – We are happy on his behalf, but of course it is a sad matter for us, says Sivertsen. He adds that Smarason has been an important player for the club this season. Janus Smarason is leaving Kolstad Handball with immediate effect. Photo: OLE MARTIN WOLD / NTB Changed world view The increased costs in the club occur in connection with all the changes in society recently. Chairman Sivertsen says so. – When we pressed the start button for this ambitious venture in autumn 2021, we were sure that everything was in place to start this sporting adventure. But the worldview changed significantly when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, writes Sivertsen further. In addition, he points to high interest rates, high inflation and general uncertainty in many industries. During the last time, Kolstad has brought home several high-profile players. Including Sander Sagosen, Magnus Abelvik Rød and Gøran Johannessen.
ttn-69
may have reached an agreement – news Trøndelag
