Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea close to Stamford Bridge naming rights deal
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay hopes to reveal a naming rights sponsor for Stamford Bridge before next season. [LNB]Gourlay made the announcement and also admitted the Blues needed to move to a bigger stadium if they are to fulfil their ambitions of being a European force. [LNB]Chelsea are currently exploring their options regarding their future headquarters after shareholders in the Chelsea Pitch Owners company last month rejected a proposal to buy back the land upon which Stamford Bridge is built. [LNB] Home: Chelsea have been at Stamford Bridge for over 100 years[LNB]That set back the club's hopes of moving away from a stadium Gourlay believes they have outgrown. [LNB]In the meantime the club are looking at extra revenue streams, including renaming the stadium they have called home for over a century, as they look to comply with UEFA's impending financial fair play rules. [LNB]'We hope to make an announcement on naming rights for Stamford Bridge within the next six to eight months,' Gourlay told the International Football Arena in Zurich. [LNB]'It would make a big step because we have to drive up the revenues.'[LNB] He added: 'We have outgrown our stadium and tried every way possible to extend capacity. [LNB] Closing in on a deal: Chelsea's Ron Gourlay[LNB]'We need a 60-65,000 stadium. We have the eighth biggest stadium in England and the 61st biggest in Europe. [LNB]'But when you look at the activity of stadiums planned for next few years, we will fall out of top 75 which can only be restrictive to the football club. [LNB]'In the meantime we continue on our conversations to see if there is any way at all to extend Stamford Bridge.'[LNB] Gourlay insisted it was imperative a solution was found but said no decision had yet been made as to whether a fresh vote would be called at next month's AGM. [LNB]'We have one of smallest stadiums in Europe,' he added. 'We have corporate hospitality that is second to none and 30,000 season ticket holders. [LNB]'But we have a stadium slightly larger than 40,000 which drops to 38,000 on Champions League nights. We have to find a solution.'[LNB] While last month's vote was viewed as a humiliating defeat for Blues owner Roman Abramovich in some quarters, Gourlay said he was determined to resolve the matter during upcoming talks. [LNB] Ambitions: Chelsea want to be playing in front of bigger crowds week in week out[LNB]'This is a time for reflection, to sit down with the owner and discuss the situation,' he added. [LNB]'We thought we made a very good proposal to the CPO shareholders. They decided on a 'no' vote. [LNB]'We got 62 per cent but it's time to discuss it with Roman and the board. We have been very transparent in terms of venues.'[LNB] Anatomy of the Terry race row: Key individuals who will decide England captain's destinyLampard and Villas-Boas hope vital win at Blackburn can reignite title pushThe John Terry I know is not a racist, says England's first black captainChelsea boost in stadium bid as council pledge to help make Stamford Bridge biggerAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB]
