NHL Legend Jaromir Jagr Faces Serious Legal Troubles That Could Force Him Into Retiring From Hockey

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Sam Walker
November 4, 2024 (10:38 PM)

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Jaromir Jagr Faces Lease Battle Over Kladno Knights' Home Arena

Jaromir Jagr at 52 years of age, began what's expected to be his 37th and final professional season with his hometown Kladno Knights this summer.

As a player and the team owner, Jagr has done his on and off-ice roles. Now, he's facing a serious issue off the ice: the City of Kladno has terminated the team's lease on their home arena, citing missed payments.

The city claims Jagr didn't pay a recent six-month lease fee for the arena and reportedly asked for extra time but hasn't responded to calls about the matter.

This led the city to cancel the lease, leaving the future of the team's home uncertain.

«The ongoing season is not in any way threatened,»

V�t Heral told Sport.cz. But beyond this season, the Kladno Knights could face the reality of playing without a set arena.

Jagr has until the end of the season to renegotiate a lease.

Milan Volf, the mayor of Kladno and a former Kladno Knights player, noted that arena revenue goes directly to Jagr and the team.

«We have to wonder why Jaromir Jagr is not able to honor his contract and pay two million crowns ($86,000 USD), compared to the roughly 40 million crowns ($1.7 million USD) the contract brought him.»

Volf also took a shot at Jagr:

«It's time for him to no longer be in charge of ice hockey in Kladno.»

While Jagr's contributions to Czech hockey are enormous, this lease issue has created a strain with the city. The terminated lease is initially set to last until 2032, was signed in 2013, and now leaves the teams' future in question.

Jagr and the Kladno Knights have yet to respond to the reports, leaving fans waiting to see if the legend can secure a new agreement to keep the team in its home arena.