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Ben Hayes - Charlton Athletic programme

The cost of relegation

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Submitted by WG on Sun, 15/05/2011 - 17:27

Friends of mine who are West Ham fans have feared that the club would be relegated for some time and now it has happened.    Although the owners have taken something of a 'not me guv' stance about the course of events, they must take some responsibility.


More than half of West Ham's 2009-10 turnover of £71.7m came from Premier League revenue distributions.  The minimum £40m of television and central sponsorship income for the bottom club (up from £31.3 last year) this season will be exchanged for a £16m parachute payment season next.  Gate receipts, commercial and merchandising income, worth £33.1m in the past financial year, will also drop.   Matchday, commercial and sponsorship revenues could fall by as much as £20m.


Blackpool's fate remains uncertain, but if they are relegated, they can comfort themselves with the fact that they have spent relatively little money in the Premiership.   They will benefit from increased parachute payments of £48m spread over four seasons (£16m, £16m, £8m, £8m). 


Indeed, there have been complaints from Championship clubs that the enhanced parachute payments will create a two-tier competition, making it very difficult to repeat feats like that of Norwich this year with recently relegated clubs having an advantage.  However, the case of West Ham suggests that the picture may be more complex.

Related Clubs: 
Blackpool Football Club Limited
West Ham United Football Club plc

What now for the Olympic stadium?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 17/05/2011 - 05:00.

Realistically, looking at the figures mentioned above, is this still viable/likely?


If the high court rule that Newham Council should not be allowed to provide the £40m, do you think the two Davids will make up this shortfall? At present there are 3 parties claiming foul here, being Spurs, Leyton Orient, and 2 Casino operators. WH's plan for the stadium include a casino.


Do you think there might be a case where the whole voting system will be restarted, with Spurs winning and the decision makers claiming "We did our best for athletics, but those dudes from N17 took us to court"


KG

Too little, too late

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 15/05/2011 - 18:16.

Avram Grants just been sacked.


I guess he's the owners scapegoat on this then.

It would seem so.  The manner

Submitted by WG on Mon, 16/05/2011 - 18:27.

It would seem so.  The manner of his sacking was not edifying.   Given his record it's arguable that he should not have been appointed in the first place or that the attempt to replace him in January should not have been botched.