Delicate dispute: trouble over ski superstar Ester Ledecká

The Olympic Games are ideal for immortalizing yourself in sports history. In February 2018, Ester Ledecká achieved exactly that. Within a few days she was crowned Olympic champion in two different sports: once in alpine skiing (Super-G), once in parallel snowboarding. Since then, the Czech has been one of the most sought-after faces on the winter sports scene and is also extremely interesting for sponsors. But that's exactly where the catch lies.

Ledecká recently caused a stir on social networks with a posting. “The ski and snowboard season is just around the corner and I haven't signed a contract with the association yet. I’m ready to finance the coming season myself,” wrote the 27-year-old. That sounds like an extremely strange, almost absurd situation: the Czech Republic's most famous winter sports athlete has to finance her season herself?

It's about money Of course there is more to it than that. And as always, it's about money. The Czech association, which recently turned to the public, got the ball rolling. It's about a four-year representative contract, i.e. the marketing rights of the skier and snowboarder. In other words: Ledecká would also have to work with the association's advertising partners until the 2026 Olympic Games. In return, the Federation offered her consideration worth around 20 million Czech crowns, which is the equivalent of 815.000 euros. “Your financial conditions have actually been improved compared to the past, even though our budget was cut by 10 percent,” asserts the association.

Only: Ledecká does not want to sign this contract – at least for now. The reasons are obvious: If the Czech woman were to work with the association, she would not be allowed to advertise for certain brands - which represent competition to the association's sponsors. An example: The Czech Federation has signed a contract with the car manufacturer Audi, and Ledecká recently announced its cooperation with BMW. Individual agreements are usually much more lucrative for athletes of her caliber. “I offered the association that they would give the money to the youth.” Ester Ledecka This is also why the Czech explained that she only wanted bureaucratic help from the association this season, for example when it came to registering for races. Otherwise she wants to finance her season herself, but of course she wants to ride in the Czech colors. “I suggested to the Ski and Snowboard Association that they give the financial resources they offered me to the youth,” writes the multiple Olympic champion on social media.

So it remains exciting. By the way, it is still uncertain when Ledecká will compete in her first World Cup race this season. She suffered a broken collarbone and had to undergo surgery.

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Delicate dispute: trouble over ski superstar Ester Ledecká

Ester Ledecká is one of the most dazzling figures in the Ski World Cup. Now the Czech is causing a stir.

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