Hammers in Olympic setback
THE CHANCES of West Ham moving into the Olympic Stadium appear to have receded after legacy chiefs the OPLC launched a search for a stadium sponsor.
The OPLC’s move means the Hammers will not be able to sell naming rights to the venue as part of any deal to relocate from Upton Park after the Games.
It also poses a second potential disincentive to an agreement with West Ham, in that the eventual sponsor could be a competitor of a Hammers-affiliated brand.
The Championship high-fliers are among 16 parties to have expressed interest in leasing the Olympic Park’s £486m centrepiece from 2014.
A decision on which bid or bids have been successful is scheduled to be made in May, when the identity of the stadium sponsor is also set to be announced.
The Hammers’ original agreement to move into the stadium was scrapped in October amid fears of a lengthy legal delay, after a complaint to the European Commission.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady (right) this week reiterated their determination to strike a new deal, following suggestions their interest had cooled.
“I wouldn’t be dragging my body to all the meetings, or reading through a 900-page document every night if we weren’t still committed,” said Brady.
The club have previously made clear their desire to sell naming rights if they move to the Olympic Stadium.
The stadium is set to house a range of sports, with athletics prominent and the running track retained, while rugby union and cricket have also been mooted.
Tottenham, who lost out in the original bidding process, have ruled out another attempt and are committed to building a new stadium in north London.