German ski association take FIS to court over central marketing

The German Ski Association (DSV) is taking world governing body the FIS to court over plans to centrally market the sport in the future, reported dpa.

Less than a month before the alpine skiing season starts in Sölden on October 26, the Germans are joining the Austrians in a fight with FIS president Johan Eliasch, who is also a candidate to be the new president of the International Olympic Committee.

"The FIS has de facto tried to disenfranchise the national associations, including the German Ski Association, with this change and we will not accept that," Stefan Schwarzbach, board member of the German Ski Association, told BR24Sport.

The national ski associations have marketed World Cup races themselves up until now but Eliasch thinks central marketing from the 2025-26 season can open up new opportunities.

The DSV says this violates German and European competition law.

"That is why we have filed an application for an injunction against this decision, similar to our colleagues in Austria," added Schwarzbach.

A decision at a Munich court is expected to be announced in mid-October. The proceedings in Austria have been postponed until the end of November.