Relationship status between ÖSV and FIS leadership? It remains complicated

The relationship of the domestic Ski Association ÖSV to the management of the FIS about their president John Eliasch is still tense and not free of friction. The dispute over the central marketing of media rights that Eliasch is aiming for is taking place on legal grounds parallel to the World Cup opening. At the same time, the ÖSV is fighting against the Briton’s candidacy for the office of IOC presidents on his side. This potentially sees an “upgrading of skiing”.

If the World Ski and Snowboard Association FIS has its way, the valuable international media rights in winter sports will be marketed centrally from 2026/27 – similar to Formula 1. This centralization was one of Eliasch’s most important election promises, with which he primarily lured smaller associations. In the spring, at a meeting of the FIS board, nails were made: the passage in the competition rules, which places media rights in the hands of the national associations, was changed without sufficient discussion.

The ÖSV filed a lawsuit in June, and the first hearing is scheduled to take place on November 28th in Vienna. The German Ski Association, which is also suing, has already given the FIS an interim injunction legal defeat bestowed. As the Munich Regional Court announced, the FIS decision on central marketing violates European antitrust law and should not be implemented. The question of original rights ownership cannot be clarified by arbitrarily set association law in favor of the FIS.

Despite all the hardship, there is regular professional exchange with the FIS leadership, emphasized the ÖSV General Secretary Christian Scherer. President Eliasch personally contacts him by phone from time to time. The ÖSV leaders generally view his candidacy as President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) positively. “That would of course be an improvement for skiing,” said Scherer. The election will take place just a few weeks after the World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm (February 4th to 16th, 2025). This would bring the event in Austria into greater international focus, according to Scherer’s calculations. He could not assess Eliasch’s chances of winning the election.

In any case, experts see the 62-year-old businessman as an outsider in the race to succeed Thomas Bach. This is primarily due to the high-profile competitors, some of whom have long-standing connections to the IOC; for example World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR), ex-swimmer and Bach confidant Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), UCI President David Lappartient (FRA) or IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. (ESP).

Also problematic for Eliasch are the numerous guidelines and paragraphs that regulate the election procedure – and make the election of the IOC president one of the most peculiar in the sports world. In principle, a dual presidency – IOC boss and president of a world sports association – is not prohibited. However, the IOC President must be a member of the IOC at the time of election and for the entire duration of his term of office.

Eliasch was accepted into the IOC solely because of his role as FIS President, which only happened this year. If he is not confirmed as FIS president in 2026, his IOC membership would expire and with it his presidency would also end. Unless the IOC decides to change its membership status by election – which would not be certain. A possible conflict of interest – Eliasch is the majority owner of the sporting goods manufacturer Head – is also a hurdle for him.

Election in March 2025

In order to promote themselves, the candidates only have one presentation, at a meeting in Lausanne on January 30. You are not allowed to publish election videos, take part in discussions with other candidates or hold public meetings. The election will take place in March 2025, and the new person’s term of office starts on June 24th.