Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has voiced plans to do for legendary ice hockey club CSKA Moscow, what has been done for football club Zenit St. Petersburg in terms of significant state funding.

The club, formerly the unconditional leader of the Soviet hockey, has recently found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy. Now state-owned oil giant Rosneft is seen as a savior.

The company is ready to pour “several hundred million dollars” in the club’s development, Putin stated during his Friday meeting with the club’s famous veterans.

As part of the deal, CSKA will pass to Rosneft some of their real estate. In return, Rosneft would reconstruct or build anew the club’s stadium and sponsor the club till it becomes profitable.

Putin also stressed that hockey clubs must learn to make money by themselves.

“Until we achieve this goal, we won’t meet the competition of the NHL,” he said.