Vonn, Macuga, Eliasch: GEPA footage
FIS Doubles Down on Monetary Assist for NGBs and Athletes
FIS President Johan Eliasch, now in his fifth season main the Worldwide Ski and Snowboard Federation, says actual progress is being made on two of his most essential targets: rising prize cash for athletes and delivering direct monetary help to all Nationwide Governing Our bodies (NGBs).
First-Ever Shared Distributions from Broadcast Income
For the primary time, FIS is distributing €10 million a yr for 3 years to all NGB members funded via its centralized broadcast cope with Infront. Eliasch, who personally negotiated the settlement, referred to as it a transformational shift in how FIS helps its world membership.
“That’s new,” Eliasch stated. “We began in 2024, distributing €30 million over three years. Everybody will get the identical quantity—€400,000—and that’s some huge cash, particularly for smaller nations.”
He highlighted the affect for international locations like New Zealand and Greece, which historically haven’t obtained business income as a consequence of their restricted internet hosting alternatives.
“Earlier than, for those who didn’t host occasions, you didn’t get something. Now, everybody advantages simply by being a member. That’s a giant change.”
FIS Triples Its General Distributions
Together with the Infront income, FIS has elevated two extra distribution streams:
A direct €5 million annual FIS payout, scaled by occasion quantity and athlete numbers
A €7.5 million fund to advertise world development in snowboarding and snowboarding
€7 million in prize cash help
“It’s virtually triple what we have been distributing earlier than,” Eliasch stated. “The centralized system has labored even in a really powerful market. Over the following eight years, we’ve secured greater than 20% will increase in World Cup media rights revenues throughout all World Cup organizing federations.”
These constant payouts, he stated, give all NGBs the steadiness to plan, make investments and develop.
Prize Cash Will increase—and Stress on Organizers
Athletes are additionally seeing the monetary affect. FIS has elevated its share of World Cup prize cash by 10% and requested Native Organizing Committees (LOCs)—the teams accountable for internet hosting races—to match it voluntarily.
“We’ve now raised prize cash by as much as 40% from after I got here on,” Eliasch stated. “It was solely the LOC’s duty. Now FIS is contributing—and we count on organizers to comply with our lead.”
Centralized Rights Deliver Extra Income, Even for the U.S.
The US, which has beforehand managed its personal broadcast rights, will formally be part of the centralized Infront system in 2026–27. Eliasch stated that inclusion will assist maximize income and consistency throughout all World Cup occasions.
“They’re a part of the centralized system,” he stated. “That’s going to assist everybody, together with the U.S. I hope we are able to convey Austria in as effectively.”
He added that in a fragmented media panorama, unified rights are important to defending long-term worth for everybody within the sport.
Wanting Forward: A Mission Not But Full
Eliasch stated the federation’s monetary well being has improved, with rising revenue and new sponsors—like Azerbaijan’s tourism workplace—becoming a member of the worldwide portfolio.
“We’ve signed new companions. We’re constructing one thing stronger. However I’m not completed. I’ll preserve going till I’ve accomplished the mission.”
Whereas some opposition stays, Eliasch stated many nationwide federations now acknowledge the advantages of his agenda.
“There are at all times individuals who complain,” he stated. “However much less so than earlier than. They’re starting to see the advantages of the arduous work we’re doing.”
