The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is heading towards full division. Now, FIS is being sued over the sale of media and marketing rights. After several months of simmering discontent and mutinous sentiments among several of the largest nations in the International Ski Federation (FIS), the Austrians have had enough. The Austrian Ski Federation is now suing FIS.

In short, the current lawsuit revolves around the sale of media and marketing rights. In April, FIS President Johan Eliasch decided to centralize these rights, assigning the responsibility to production company Infront – despite disagreement from several member countries.

Until now, media and marketing rights have been individually negotiated by national federations for each World Cup round and championship.

Increasing discontent within FIS

The conflict between the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and its member countries, specifically those forming the new alternative federation “Snowflake,” is escalating into a full-blown war. “Snowflake” resembles a G7 constellation involving several of FIS’s strongest nations, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, France, and Austria.

They strongly criticize FIS’s internal processes and the way controversial President Johan Eliasch pushes through his projects.

In April, tensions peaked again, and the “Snowflake” countries threatened legal action. Now, the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) has followed through on these threats.

“With this decision, the FIS board has restricted competition in the market, and it is already affecting us at ÖSV,” says Christian Scherer, General Secretary of ÖSV, to SportsBusiness. He explains that ÖSV risks losing millions if the centralized agreement does not deliver.

“From a business standpoint, we need to defend ourselves,” says Scherer according to Langrenn.com.

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FACTS: This is the case

Until now, TV and media rights have been individually negotiated by national federations for each World Cup round. Eliasch wants these negotiations to be centralized by FIS, thus assigning the task of negotiating TV rights for all federation events to Infront.

“Centralization (of rights) opens the door to a world of opportunities in media and content production. It will enhance digital possibilities and engage fans like never before,” says FIS President Johan Eliasch in a press release.

The contract with Infront was already presented last August but faced strong opposition from several countries that did not approve the agreement, including Norway and Sweden.

Went behind members’ backs In April, tensions peaked again. The FIS board voted to approve the controversial agreement, despite a crisis meeting in February where attempts were made to find a contractual solution acceptable to all member countries.

Now, the board has approved the original contract, regardless of what member countries think. The decision was made secretly, without member countries knowing there would be a vote.

Norway’s former representative on the board, Erik Røste, was among several who were strongly displeased with the FIS board’s decision.

“This came up in the meeting without any form of preparation. Therefore, several of us argued that such a significant change to the competition regulations could not be discussed and decided without thorough preparation. Nevertheless, it was decided. To me, it’s unclear what this change will mean,” Røste told NRK in April, adding that such secret voting is highly unusual.

“I’ve never experienced this in my six years, except when we allocate World Championships.”

Controversial FIS President

It is not the first time that several of the most powerful member countries have been dissatisfied with President Johan Eliasch.

He is accused of being undemocratic and power-hungry, autocratic and selfish. When the president was re-elected at the FIS congress in 2022, opponents threatened to declare the election illegal.

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