The arrival of West Ham United’s new Olympic Stadium in the 2016/17 season has Hammer’s fans on the edge of their old Upton Park seats in excitement for the new 80,000 capacity stadium.
Photo: @westhamutdnews | Twitter
Despite the club agreeing to a 99-year contract for the stadium in London, West Ham supporters’ groups have taken action in the form of a petition requesting the information and details on the clubs move.
A visual representation of what the Olympic Stadium will look like under West Ham control. There will be lots of bubbles. Photo: @BBCLondonNews | Twitter
Eight London-based clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal who have inquired about moving their own club to the Olympic Stadium, have brought this issue up with government bodies after being rejected in years past.
However, London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) struck back and denied requests by both West Ham supporters’ groups and fellow Premier League clubs who submitted inquiries to the details of the rental.
The LLDC’s justification for denying requests is, “the outcome has been tested in the courts and upheld. As the winning bid this constituted the best available return for the taxpayer and secures the commercial viability of a national asset for the next 100 years.”
So what does this mean?
From a fans perspective, the result of this denial of information is not going to change the future of West Ham and their relocation to the Olympic Stadium. Simply put, the public inquiry of details that the supporters’ groups are requesting are “not necessary” and could “distort the competitve market.”
From a business perspective, whatever deal is agreed on between West Ham and the public ownership of the stadium will be made with the best interest of taxpayers in mind. All profits from the multi venue stadium will trickle down to London taxpayers.