Presenter Dan Lawless has claimed that West Ham United should turn down the offer to pay £4m-a-year for the naming rights of their stadium.
According to a recent report in 6foot2, the London Stadium owners are understood to be willing to consider handing the Hammers the chance to name their stadium if the price is right.
Indeed, in the article, London Legacy Development Corporation chief executive Lyn Garner was quoted as saying: “Will I give naming rights to West Ham? Yes, I would give the naming rights to West Ham if the right financial deal was put on the table. If they want to offer £4m a year to sell naming rights, then we can have a conversation.”
However, it doesn’t sound as if everyone is so keen on the idea. Indeed, West Ham Fan TV Man Lawless took to Twitter to slam the idea, making his feelings known in no uncertain terms.
He wrote: “We should reject this offer. They know they can’t sell the naming rights themselves so they want us to pay them £4m a year so they don’t have to. Best thing we can do is deprive them of as much money as possible until they have to offer us the stadium, get rid of these clowns.”
TIF thoughts on West Ham United and the stadium…
West Ham moved into the London Stadium in 2016 – after it had hosted athletics during the 2012 Olympic Games – but this is not the first time there has been an issue with the owners.
Indeed, the club faced trouble relating to their 99-year lease of the ground as they wanted to increase stadium capacity while not having to pay more for it – which ended with an out-of-court settlement (via BBC).
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Lawless might not be the biggest fan of the stadium owners. Regardless of his view, however, it remains to be seen whether or not West Ham will want to pay for the opportunity to rename the stadium.
Do you like the London Stadium?
Yes
No
