Kelman: Conference system is “only half the solution”

Cardiff Devils’ Managing Director Todd Kelman has urged the Elite League’s smaller clubs to do more to improve their income streams.

Kelman’s comments come on the back of the announcement that the league will switch to a three Conference set-up for the 2017/18 season.

The addition of Guildford Flames and MK Lightning to the league, coupled with doubts over the futures of Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers and Edinburgh Capitals, led to the EIHL agreeing a new structure.

In a statement on the club’s official website, Kelman issued a challenge to the teams that think the ones the Devils share a conference with have a right to bigger crowds and more income on ticket sales and sponsorship.

“Work harder,” said Kelman. “Work harder every day to sell tickets and sponsorship and group packages and corporate hospitality.

“The conference system is a solution to keep us all in business, but it’s only half the solution. The other part is the hard bit.

“Get up and sell every day. Open early, stay late, go to every networking event you can, hire more staff and take the chance on them bringing in more than they cost.

“We don’t sell out because we have a new arena or a great team. We have a great team because we sell out and my MVPs are on the phone right now selling tickets and chasing sponsorship and out at meetings. And it’s April.”