The good news was presented at a press conference on Friday. In the new year, it became known that Vipers were struggling financially, and that the club needed NOK 6 million to maintain liquidity through the season. In retrospect, work has been done to save the club from bankruptcy. On Thursday evening, Kristiansand municipality made its contribution. The municipality’s culture and sports committee then decided to reduce the club’s hall rental of Aquarama by NOK 500,000 in 2024. With help from the municipality, Vipers had managed to collect around NOK 5.5 of the 6 million that the club needed. The head of the committee, Tor Kristian Ludvigsen, says there was a clear majority in favor of helping the handball team. – It is obviously a difficult balancing act when the municipality has to step in to help a commercial player. But you have to compare it with the income we would have lost if the Vipers weren’t here. They attract many spectators to matches and make Kristiansand a more attractive city. Deadline until 17 February Because there must have been a rush to get the economy back on track. On Thursday, Fædrelandsvennen wrote that the Vipers have been told by the European Handball Association (EHF) to give them an assurance that they will be able to field a team for the rest of the season. According to Vipers’ general manager, Benedicte Løyland, the background is the club’s participation in the Champions League. – We have to report to them by February 17, because we play our last group stage match then. After that, they distribute the games in the playoffs. In order for us to progress to the play off round, they must have an assurance that we will make it through the season, Løyland told the newspaper on Thursday. Agreed to a pay cut Since the new year, the club itself has also taken major steps to get on top financially. The players themselves have collected approximately one million kroner. In addition, employees in the administration have been partially laid off, and players and the coaching staff have agreed to pay cuts. Løyland has previously praised the benevolence. – I have to praise both the players, the coaching team and the administration, who have all realized the seriousness and were absolutely clear that we will manage this together. At the beginning of the month, around 15 companies were also ready with a rescue package worth NOK 4 million. Performs on the field Vipers have won the Champions League three times in a row and have the status of the world’s best handball team. Although the economy has been in focus lately, it has not prevented the team from performing on the field. In recent months, the team has found form and secured a play off in the Champions League. In January, everyone in Vipers’ administration was laid off by 20 per cent. Despite the challenges, the team has performed on the pitch. Photo: Kjetil Samuelsen / news
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Vipers is saved – avoids bankruptcy – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
