Lahden Pelicans faces hundreds of thousands in trade debt

Lahden Pelicans has accumulated hundreds of thousands of euros in unpaid trade debt to partners, the Finnish ice hockey club revealed in a statement on Friday, according to public broadcaster Yle.

CEO Juuso Pulliainen, who took office in April, said the club’s rapid expansion and last spring’s relegation playoff against Helsinki Jokerit had disrupted sales and strained finances. The playoff loss to the Mestis champions created uncertainty over the team’s league status, stalling sponsorship negotiations and costing an estimated €600,000 in lost revenue.

Pulliainen acknowledged that suppliers have shown patience but stressed the club cannot continue relying on trade credit as a funding source. He denied bankruptcy rumors, calling them “urban legends” and pledged greater transparency to restore the club’s reputation.

The club plans a share issue for supporters, new loan financing, and tighter control over spending. Pulliainen said salaries are being paid, but mounting late fees and even court cases over unpaid rent highlight the urgency of the situation.

Organizational cuts and insufficient hiring to match growth, particularly in its restaurant business, have worsened the strain, Pulliainen said. The club’s annual financial statement will show a deficit.