Chelsea’s Olympic Stadium share bid
WEST HAM’S deal of the century with the Olympic Stadium also includes a significant discount on their peppercorn rent in the event of a future football club groundshare.
This remains a possibility with Chelsea in recents talks with the London Legacy Development Company about going to Stratford if their agreement with Wembley breaks down.
Wembley remains Chelsea’s preferred option for their three-year relocation from Stamford Bridge while their new ground is being built and a £20million-a-year rent has been agreed with the FA. But nothing will be decided until the club receive planning permission from Hammersmith Council, which could take until September.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are covering all bases with discussions last year with Twickenham and now over the last couple of months with the LLDC.
West Ham, who played their last Premier League match at Upton Park last night, would have to agree to a shared tenancy with Chelsea. The contract terms state they would need to have a strong case to oppose such a potential deal, which would be more preferable for West Ham than sharing with arch rivals Tottenham.
The LLDC would, however, charge Chelsea a considerably higher rent than West Ham’s £2.5m-a-year terms — because of the extra wear and tear to the pitch. The Hammers, who are set for a £500,000-a-year share of the imminent £5m-a-year naming rights with Indian tech firm Mahindra, would be the beneficiaries again.
The concession agreement made public last month gives them a percentage annual drop in their already minimal rent were another football club to play at the Olympic Stadium. Happy days for the Hammers.
FA have claimed they want to embrace international football development and FIFA again now Sepp Blatter has gone. But you would not have known it by their delegation at this week’s FIFA Congress in Mexico City, which is smaller than at any time during the Blatter years. It consisted of chief executive Martin Glenn (above) and Jane Bateman, head of international relations. David Gill was also there but in his capacity as a FIFA council member.