West Ham closer to Olympic pitch move

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

West Ham competes with Leyton Orient, a football business college and a Formula One racing group to be the permanent tenant of the Olympic Stadium.

West Ham United took a big step towards moving into the Olympic Stadium after being granted ‘first bidder’ status by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) yesterday.

The Premier League team is competing with third-tier football club Leyton Orient, a football business college and a Formula One racing group to become permanent tenants of the east London arena.

“We had four good bids, as everybody knows. The bid that has been ranked top is West Ham United. I am very pleased about that,” said LLDC chairman and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

“It will, if it goes through, mean a football legacy for the stadium but there is still a lot of negotiation to go on between the LLDC and West Ham United about the terms of the deal.” The LLDC board voted unanimously to make West Ham their first choice to occupy the arena.

West Ham’s preferred bidder status does not involve the signing of any contracts but it puts the club in pole position to secure the 99-year lease on the stadium.

“In selecting West Ham United, the LLDC have secured a long-term viable financial future for the Park,” said West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady.