West Ham relegation could mean higher costs for London taxpayers
Sadiq Khan has warned that London taxpayers could face extra costs if West Ham are relegated from the Premier League. The club's lease agreement means their rent would be halved if they drop to the Championship. This would leave a significant funding gap for the city to cover. The mayor criticized the original lease deal and urged non-Spurs fans to support West Ham to avoid the financial hit.
Match highlights
- West Ham could be relegated if results do not go their way, impacting their lease payments for London Stadium.
- The club would pay about half their current annual rent of £4.4m if relegated, leaving taxpayers to cover up to £2.5m extra each year.
- Sadiq Khan blamed former mayor Boris Johnson for the unfavorable lease agreement made in 2012.
- Commercial revenues from the stadium are expected to drop if West Ham play in the Championship, while operating costs could rise due to more home games.
- The mayor suggested that Londoners who do not support Tottenham Hotspur should cheer for West Ham to avoid additional taxpayer costs.
