West Ham United purchase of London Stadium could happen if offer was ‘too good’ – Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan says whilst there is little chance he will consider a sale of the London Stadium to West Ham United, an offer “too good” may strike up a discussion.
Speaking to City AM’s Frank Dalleres [29 July], Khan denies that there is any intention to sanction a sale of the venue to the Hammers, but did leave the door ajar on a potential lucrative offer.
With the stadium first built for the London 2012 Olympics and moved into by the club in 2016, the 99-year tenancy with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) currently sees the club pay £3.6m per year.
Khan told the publication: “We’ve got to make sure that we recognise that this is a London asset. It’s owned by the taxpayers.
“I think people need to realise that if you sell off this asset, it’s gone for good. It’s one of our crown jewels. So I’m keen to work with West Ham and other partners to make sure we can make it more successful going forward.
“If a deal was too good to say no to then we’d have to have a conversation, but I hold it in trust for Londoners.”
West Ham United at the London Stadium
West Ham United have brought in far more in matchday revenue since moving from Upton Park to the London Stadium eight years ago.
This is unsurprising given the rise in capacity of over 27,000 – and of the club’s current capacity at the venue of 62,500, supporters filled 99.9% throughout the 2023-24 season [Transfermarkt], making the Irons the top-attended London club last term.
Sports finance expert Dan Plumley last year revealed that a planned increase in 5,500 seats at the London Stadium [Daily Mail, 2 December 2023] could net both the club and LLDC an extra £9.5m per season.
With the transfer activity going on behind the scenes led by Tim Steidten for new head coach Julen Lopetegui, this proposed boost would be hugely welcome as a new chapter on the field takes place.
Khan’s view of the former Olympic arena as one of the English capital’s “crown jewels” means LLDC are reportedly content with the current agreement in place despite making a loss, meaning there is certainly no pressure to alter the deal.
In other West Ham news, a move for Jhon Duran could be on the cards after Aston Villa’s latest move.
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