There has been a London Stadium naming rights update and a West Ham source also says a pricing row could go to court.
When West Ham moved to the London Stadium in Stratford it was widely expected top companies would be forming an orderly queue to gobble up the naming rights.
The LLDC had that responsibility but nearly eight years on there has been no deal.
That’s despite coming close to agreements with Mahindra and Vodafone.
Back in November, it was reported that the wait for a stadium naming rights partner may be at and end.
It was claimed that German finance giants Allianz and American ticket company Stage Front were involved in a ‘multi-million pound’ battle for the naming rights to West Ham’s home ground.
London Stadium naming rights update
As reported on Hammers News, West Ham would benefit from a cash windfall as a result of any deal worth over £4m.
The likes of Football Insider claimed the deal would be worth £20m.
West Ham share anything over £4m, in a 50-50 split with LLDC. That means West Ham would be expecting around £8m from any deal worth £20m. But there was a big caveat.
Because it was also revealed that West Ham’s share is capped at the club’s annual stadium usage fee – believed to currently be around £4m.
It has gone quiet on that front ever since, though.
Now there’s been a London Stadium naming rights update and a West Ham source says a pricing row could go to court.
Sean Whetstone, who counts vice-chair Karren Brady among his contacts, says West Ham are still trying to dispute the pricing of food and drink at the London Stadium.
West Ham source says pricing row could go to court
And he says no naming rights deal is anywhere close.
“West Ham continue to dispute the non-enforcement of the London Stadium comparable club clause in their 2013 London Stadium concessionaire agreement,” Whetstone said.
“The club have tried everything in dialogue with LLDC without success but may now need to settle the dispute in the courts.
“The comparable club clause was inserted into the contract by West Ham Vice Chairman Karren Brady to avoid the Hammers being held hostage on catering prices in our host stadium which is what is happening now. The club says they are just as frustrated as supporters…
“London Stadium naming rights are still a very long way from being sold despite reports to the contrary last year,” Whetstone added.
‘Wishful thinking’
“Last November Allianz were reported as the front runner suggesting a deal could be imminent, but this has been described as wishful thinking by club insiders.
“West Ham have right to veto of any deal but have yet to approached for final sign off indicating a deal is NOT as close as the London Stadium owners would like taxpayers and politicians to believe. The story was likely leaked by those close to the London Stadium in an attempt to keep some pressure off from London Assembly members especially with a Mayor of London election in May.
“Apart from premature nature of the deal, there remains a number of other disputes on the Stadium naming rights. Some of the advertising rights with the naming rights package have already been sold to West Ham who have no intention of handing them back and there is a further dispute over revenue sharing of the rights.
“West Ham believe they will share 50% of the naming rights revenue after the first £4m over the life of the contract while the stadium owners believe the contract says that revenue is only shared after £4m per year. Both these issues will need to be resolved for West Ham to give permission.”
READ ALSO
True reason for Kudus’ amazing start to life at West Ham been uncovered?
Sunderland reporter: Clarke dropped big hint over future amid West Ham bid claims
West Ham chosen for new TV date and fans will be all too aware why
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
