Source: Team_Talk
Brady hopeful of stadium 'lock-out'
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady expects the club to be given the first option of taking over the Olympic Stadium after the London Olympics.[LNB] The Hammers confirmed earlier this year they want to leave their existing Upton Park home for the Olympic Stadium, while London mayor Boris Johnson is also keen on a football club taking over the running costs of the venue.[LNB]The Premier League club believe switching home grounds will cost them £125million and have asked the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), who are responsible for the future of the London 2012 venues, for a six-month "lock-out" to hold exclusive talks on the deal.[LNB]And, two years before the Olympics start, Brady told www.insidethegames.biz: "We'll hear by the end of the month whether we've got it [the lock-out deal].[LNB]"I would never say I'm 100% but I expect to get it. It's a no-brainer and it's absolutely right for the club and community."[LNB]West Ham's main rivals are American entertainment giant AEG, who own the O2 Arena.[LNB]A spokeswoman for the OPLC added: "The market testing has captured genuine interest from a range of organisations in the sports, events, investment and education sectors.[LNB]"We are building on this momentum and working closely with interested parties to move towards a formal procurement process."
