Dispute with the City: Champion threatens to leave Graz

The dispute between the city of Graz and sports clubs SK Sturm, GAK, and Graz99ers continues to escalate.

Due to the withdrawal of sponsorship by "Holding Graz" (All info>>>), SK Sturm already covered the "Graz" lettering in their club crest during their most recent Europa League match. The 99ers also temporarily removed the city's name from their club name.

Now, however, the Austrian ice hockey champion is considering an even more drastic measure: an exit from Graz. This emerges from a report by the "Kronen Zeitung".

Relocation to Kapfenberg?

"If we are no longer welcome as a top-tier sports team in Graz, there are other ways. We have already looked around, for example in Kapfenberg," 99ers President Herbert Jerich is quoted as saying.

"We will definitely arrange a test match there in the ice rink to explore all options," he added. It is possible that the 99ers' Family Day in November will already take place in Kapfenberg.

Staying in Graz remains the goal

However, the top priority remains staying in Graz, Jerich emphasized.

"But I will do everything in my power to prevent it from coming to that. I don't want to take away the games in the Graz ice rink from our fans. The 99ers simply belong in Graz – but then politics should also see it that way," said the 48-year-old.