At the beginning of this international break, Sadiq Khan has spoken out to the world and has invited proposals for the London Stadium as he seeks to offload the venue and save millions per year. A deal that was initially sanctioned by Boris Johnson, which is now costing the public around £19m per year, and the London Mayor is encouraging buyers to come forward, and he emphasises that he “would consider any credible proposal”.
Now, of course, the definition of ‘credible’ raises an eyebrow, given that a consortium not involved with West Ham previously made an offer for the London Stadium, and it was noted that the offer was significant but still rejected.
Khan also mentioned that the offer received to purchase the stadium outright has to “offer value for taxpayers, protect the public interest and preserve the wider economic, social and sporting benefits the venue delivers for London.” - Essentially, given the number of ‘tick-boxes’, it has to be West Ham who purchase the stadium otherwise, it’ll be near-impossible to fulfil the criteria.
It is also important to note that since Daniel Kretinsky has increased his stake in West Ham United, the relationship between Sadiq Khan and the club has grown massively, but he refused to comment on how constructive the growth has been, acknowledging that it is important, but nothing further.
The Hammers currently pay around £2m a year to be at the London Stadium, but that, of course, prevents the club from making any changes, including deciding which staff are selected for the matchday, as well as preventing the club from changing the rules about what you can and can’t bring into a stadium…there are far too many more aspects to mention.
With time, let’s hope that this new and ‘improved’ relationship can prosper into a sale being made. Daniel Kretinsky has a tendency to boost the value of ‘failing’ industries…
Comments
Why buy it?
Its a peppercorn rent for a largely unwanted by the fans stadium. Why buy what nobody wants, it still needs to be knocked down and rebuilt and I don't for one minute believe that option is high on DKs agenda.
Evertons new ground cost £800 million and Spurs over £1.3 billion to build proper football stadiums and unless Stavely gets in we don't have the money to do it. Kretinsky won't pay it Sullivan hasn't got it.
As for Khan..............
The stadiums secondary Deluded
We all no that and it is the land on which it sits and surrounds that will entice DK and no doubt some partners outside of the football world to make a bid.
Any bid will of course involve a rebuild if they are allowed to acquire the land and if they are allowed then the cost of building a new stadium will be factored into the purchase price as businessmen at that level are nobodies fool but make no mistake Dk or Staveleys main interest will only ever of been the land and the soul reason for ever buying or wanting to buy into the club in the first place and is the biggest reason DS will not let go until he makes the money he had planned for all those years ago when forcing through the move.
Agree HG
And the offer should be the square root of nothing just to take it off their hands!
Once bought the area can be developed and stadium demolished to build a proper football ground which doesn't have to be an over priced palace or mausoleum just a simple basic stadium in keeping with the working class roots of the club i.e. few corporate boxes more safe standing.
I do hope this is the opportunity Staverly was hoping for!
Well said Dartford.
Well said Dartford,Staveley in,tossers out ,and that includes Khan,he will want it as a mosque.