Business aspects of ice hockey in Austria

The situation for Austrian ice hockey players has changed significantly in recent years. The highest league in Austria, known as the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL), has almost completely separated from the Austrian Ice Hockey Association and now operates almost independently. New regulations have been developed and implemented, but these appear to be very disadvantageous for Austrian ice hockey players in their own country. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Austrian ice hockey players to establish themselves in the highest domestic league, as the number of imported players has risen sharply in recent years due to the new regulatory measures. As these new changes, which primarily comprise the new regulatory measures and the organisational structure of Austrian ice hockey, are questionable, this paper aims to provide impetus for improving the situation of Austrian ice hockey players in Austria.