Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Sat 11 April 2026 14:40, UK

Karren Brady has batted against the suggestion that the Premier League needs to offer more help to the Championship, despite West Ham United themselves being at threat at dropping into the second tier.

So far, it has been a season to forget for the London Stadium club, as relegation stares the Irons right in the face.

Back in February, West Ham announced their worst financial result in the history of the club after failing to qualify for Europe.

Now, the Hammers could be in line for even more financial worry, as a drop to the second tier would result in a drop in revenue.

However, Brady does not seem to want any help in that instance, as she comments on a popular narrative that could soon impact West Ham’s own finances next season.

What Karren Brady has said about the Championship amid West Ham’s relegation fight

There is a general feeling among football fans that the top of the English football pyramid needs to do more for those below them.

While the Premier League rakes in billions, plenty call for a more significant model of trickle-down economics.

On the surface, it is a claim that makes a lot of sense, but not everyone agrees, including West Ham shareholder Brady.

Brady, writing in a column for the print edition of The Sun, has claimed that the narrative of the Premier League needing to help out more is “completely wrong” and instead has placed blame on the owners of the clubs in the Championship.

The Hammers’ shareholder states that clubs in the second tier are spending 125 per cent of the revenue generated on players’ wages, chasing the dream of making the top flight.

Her argument is that Championship sides are falling into a crisis waiting to happen based on their own decisions, and pumping more money into the model would simply just prolong that collapse.

Now, with West Ham entrenched in the relegation fight, Brady may soon be embroiled into a failing system.

It will remain to be seen if the Baroness will soon be, as she writes herself: “gambling on promotion, pushing wages beyond sustainable levels, and hoping that the reward justifies the risk.”

There were reports Brady was considering resigning from the West Ham board.

Brady backs herself into a corner at West Ham

While Brady may have a point that is backed up by the facts and data, there was one line written by the Baroness that backs her into a corner.

In her column, Brady mentions that owning a football club is a “a risky business built on ambition, not balance sheets”, but many Irons supporters will feel there has been a lack of that at the E20 outfit.

Yes, while at one point ambition was found in abundance at the East London club, with highs in European competitions, that has since shrivelled up with fans feeling the lows of possible relegation.

There was a chance for the Irons to kick on after winning the UEFA Conference League, but ever since, it has been backwards step after backwards step.

Back in 2024, Jarrod Bowen stated: “Our ambition as a club is qualifying for Europe every year.”

Perhaps Brady should start to listen to her own words, and if the Hammers stay up, ensure they are not in this position again.