German Hockey League (DEL) side Hannover Scorpions "are considering leaving the DEL and possibly joining the Russian KHL," according to the DPA. The operating corporation of the TUI-Arena, the home of the Scorpions, said that the club's board of directors told Owner Günter Papenburg to "not rule out negotiations about selling the club's license." The Scorpions are a 100% subsidiary of the arena. Media outlets reported that the club "considers leaving the DEL and competing in the 2nd Bundesliga as well as the possible involvement of a Russian investor." This could result in the club joining the Eastern European KHL. Papenburg reportedly has already talked to second-divison clubs Schwenningen and Bietigheim-Bissingen "about a possible takeover of Hannover's DEL license." The reason for the club's careful consideration "is a dispute with the city and the Deutsche Messe AG (German Convention AG), which want to build a new multi-purpose arena in close proximity to the Scorpion's arena." The TUI-Arena fears that a new arena would increase the pressure "to work all the more economically sound and eliminate possible losing operations." The Scorpions "are still a losing operation for the arena" (DPA, 5/6).
