Atlant, a KHL hockey club based in Mytishchi, Moscow region, is facing financial problems and, according to some reports, might sell players to stay afloat.
"The club's management is trying to improve the situation and is looking for ways to come out of the current crisis," General Dir Alexei Kudashov told a news conference in Mytishchi earlier this week, adding that media reports about the club's dire financial state are "not unfounded."
Some media reported that the club might even sell most of its players to raise cash to be able to last through the end of the season. Forward Artem Voronin confirmed in an interview with the newspaper Sovetsky Sport that a massive sale of players after the New Year's break is not ruled out.
NO MERGER: Meanwhile, merging the team with another Moscow region team, Vityaz, is out of the question, regional Sports Minister Roman Teryushkov told the radio station Sport FM, adding that he hoped Vityaz would complete this season, after which its future will be decided.
Incidentally, Atlant, owned by entrepreneur Anton Zingarevich, who also owns the British football club Reading, has been having financial problems for a second season in a row.
This March, five players had their contracts terminated due to salary arrears.
Vladimir Kozlov is a writer in Moscow.
