Bec James, Peter Mujuzi and Stefan Wright consider the effects of that stadium on West Ham.
New Olympic Stadium occupants West Ham United are the only Premier League side in East London. But on the basis of their current form, who knows how long for?
The Olympics put East London on the world map, but relegation would push West Ham off the global football chart, causing an enormous drop in income.
The prospect of taking over the 60, 000-seater Olympic Stadium had lifted the mood among Hammers fans. But if the team goes down at the end of this season, the club’s finances would be dragged down with it – 60,000 times over.
Ticket prices would surely rise and loyal fans could easily find themselves subsidising an over-sized stadium that nobody wants.
Selling on star players to pay for it, is not an option: many of the first team are already…too well advanced in years.
Round here we’re just hoping and praying that the new stadium doesn’t turn out to be a burden rather than a boon to ailing West Ham.
Anyone spotted a get-out clause in the lease?