The turnover of the SHL clubs increases while other elite sports struggle financially

Swedish elite associations in certain sports are on their knees financially. A survey that Radiosporten has done shows that 15 basketball, floorball and volleyball teams have withdrawn from elite series games in the last five years.

But the ice hockey associations in the SHL turn over more and more money. Last season, the SHL clubs had an average turnover of SEK 191.2 million, which was SEK 9.4 million more than the previous season. The increase is part of a longer trend. In the 2022/2023 season, the clubs had an average turnover of SEK 159.3 million.

According to the audit firm EY's report "How is Swedish elite hockey doing?" is the increased turnover mainly due to the clubs receiving more money from ticket sales and "market-related activities". Last season, the clubs together attracted a record number of visitors to the SHL arenas.

- Overall, the clubs deliver a better result now than a few years ago, says SHL's vice president and sports manager Johan Hemlin.

As turnover increases, the SHL clubs also increase their salary budgets.

- The wage costs in the league have gone up in the last five years, when I have been involved. We have a budget that tries to reflect that and we try to be competitive there. Then we try to avoid exactly what those numbers are, but it is clear that we feel that we have the opportunity to offer good conditions here, says Färjestad's sporting director Rickard Wallin.

The league's vice president and sports director Johan Hemlin says that the SHL examines the clubs' expenses for player squads once in the fall and once in the spring each season.

- In the vast majority of industries, you have some form of statistics. We haven't had that and that's why we started with it a few years ago. It is more that it helps us in the industry to know roughly what the development looks like. I also share this with the players' union, says Hemlin.

According to him, the SHL's cheapest player squad costs around SEK 50 million per year, while the most expensive is around SEK 70 million per year.

In addition, Hemlin tells us that the average cost of an SHL squad, according to the league's survey, was SEK 62 million in the 2025/2026 season. The same figure for the two previous seasons was SEK 59 million and SEK 55 million, respectively.

- Wages generally go up in society. After all, you have both an increased salary and then you have inflation on those parts. That is one thing, but overall, our clubs have a better economy today than before.

In recent years, the returning stars have flowed into the SHL. It has been Nicklas Bäckström, Jakob Silfverberg and Calle Järnkrok to Brynäs, Marcus Högberg to Linköping, Marcus Johansson to Färjestad, Lucas Wallmark to Björklöven and Samuel Fagemo to Frölunda, among others.

- The bigger the league gets, the more money the league gets, the higher the salaries and the easier it is to attract good players here. It's only positive, says Färjestad's team captain Linus Johansson.

Although the economy may be a factor, the league's sporting director Johan Hemlin does not believe that the money is the main reason why players of that caliber want to play in Sweden.

- We must have good finances, but I think these guys are returning home because they want to play in the SHL. They don't return home because they get the most money in the pay envelope. Then you can still choose other options.

Djurgården's goalkeeper Magnus Hellberg has been described as one of those who earns the most money playing in the SHL. According to Expressen, he earned over SEK 300,000 a month last season. He has the same image of the SHL's attractiveness as Johan Hemlin.

- Depending on what type of player you are, you can definitely earn more abroad. I didn't move home because of the pay envelope. I had the opportunity to stay in the US and also go to other leagues, but I value moving home very highly, says Hellberg and elaborates:

- Of course, I am very happy that we found a solution, between me and Djurgården, that felt good for both parties and that you are close to family and friends. Now you have two children who are starting school soon and so on. It is important that all parts work, also for the family.

In its report, the audit firm EY has measured the clubs' total personnel costs. EY writes in the report that the increased personnel costs are "pointed out as a challenge going forward". Although it is not only about the players' salaries, they make up a large part of the clubs' personnel costs.