West Ham United’s London Stadium looks set to undergo a major change ahead of next season, with the venue expected to have a new name.
After the last couple of years, when West Ham have done well enough in the Premier League to make it into back-to-back European campaigns, it has been a tough league season for them this year.
David Moyes’ side have been battling with relegation for the entire time, although David de Gea’s recent mistake should have secured their place in the top tier.
The Hammers could still play a big part in the battle to stay up though, with games against Leeds United and Leicester City still to come.
Even if they manage to stay up it seems unlikely that Declan Rice will be staying at the London Stadium for next season, with so much interest in the midfielder.
Arsenal are one of the favourites to add him to their side, with Mikel Arteta’s team rumoured to be willing to quadruple his wages to move to north London.
But he might not be the only one not playing at the London Stadium come August, as that might not even be the former London Stadium’s name anymore.
The London Legacy Development Corporation, who are West Ham’s landlords at the stadium, are looking at selling the naming rights ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, according to the Daily Mail.
The club are 10 year into a 99 year lease agreement for the stadium, which was originally built as the main venue for the 2012 Olympics.
LLDC chief executive Lyn Garner claimed earlier this year that the stadium could make £4 million-a-year by selling the naming rights.
“If West Ham wanted to pay me £4m a year for the right to sell the naming rights, then we can have a conversation. However, what I cannot do is sell the naming rights off cheaply,” Garner said at a town-hall meeting.
A spokesperson at the club said, “West Ham United has consistently maintained that the income generated at the stadium could be far higher.
“We have made clear that we are open to a new approach and are willing to help grow revenues and reduce costs, while improving the London Stadium experience for West Ham United supporters and other visitors.
“As far as we are concerned, no option is off the table. We welcome dialogue with the mayor to realise the potential of this incredible, iconic asset for the capital.”
