After the extremely successful World Championships, the Austrian ice hockey association is not only due to sporting success in the headlines, but also because of a legal dispute with the “courier”. Again standard reported on August 7, 2025, the Association submitted a lawsuit against the medium and a journalist because it is damaged by an article about his economic situation in his reputation.
The ÖEHV accuses the reporting of being “unacceptable” and “completely exaggerated” and containing false claims for the organization of the association. The aim is to protect the reputation of Austrian ice hockey – also internationally.
A central point of dispute is a foundation that the ÖEHV founded in 1977 for promoting young talent. The assets – originally 15 million Schilling, later around 2.5 to 3 million euros – was dissolved in 2021 after a change of statutes. Loud standard the association emphasizes that this assets were adopted without a purpose, while the “courier” accuses the original purpose of the foundation.
Financially, the association is in a tense situation. Loud standard confirms the ÖEHV for an operational minus of around 500,000 euros for 2024, caused by severely increased costs for hall rents, flights and hotels, which could not be compensated for by higher income. The association is currently working on a restructuring plan.
The courier reports that President Klaus Hartmann granted a minus of around 300,000 euros in March 2025, which the annual report later confirmed with an annual misalignment of 557,040.80 euros. Equity has dropped from around 3.1 million to 2.2 million euros since 2022.
