Source: Daily_Mail
On track! West Ham encouraged to bid for Olympic Stadium by minister
West Ham have been handed a much-needed fillip in their pursuit of a move to the Olympic Stadium after minister for the Games, Tessa Jowell, invited a formal bid from the Premier League club.[LNB]The Hammers are keen to occupy the newly-built £537million stadium in Stratford after the Olympics in 2012, despite London's bid team originally pledging to maintain the site as am athletics venue. [LNB]However, the Olympic Park Legacy Company, which will manage the Stratford site after the games, are likely to encourage a bidding war for the tenancy as they look to get the best deal for the taxpayer. After all, it was they who helped fund the project.[LNB] Long way to go: The Olympic Stadium is some way of completion but will be ready by 2012[LNB]Jowell said: 'The legacy company is inviting bids for potential legacy tenants. It is not a decision for government. We are a stakeholder but it is a decision for the board of the legacy company. [LNB]'The fact is there is going to be a competition to determine the tenant and if West Ham want to submit a proposal, they are welcome.'[LNB]Initial plans submitted to the International Olympic Committee suggested the stadium would be stripped down a capacity of 25,000 after the games, a move IOC member, Sir Craig Reedie, believes is still compatible with the ambitions of either a football or a rugby club. [LNB] Hammered: West Ham's financial woes have forced them into looking for a new stadium to help increase matchday revenue[LNB]That, though, would rule West Ham out as their current ground, Upton Park, already boasts a capacity of 35,303.[LNB]West Ham are keen to secure a move to higher capacity stadium in order to increase matchday revenue. The club's new owners have even discussed a possible name change to coincide with a move. 'West Ham Olympic', though, was quickly rubbished by sections of the fans.[LNB]The legacy-company board has yet to decide on the terms of reference for the tenancy and remains open to the idea of an outright purchase of the site. [LNB] West Ham are out of order! Athlete Kelly Sotherton blasts Hammers' plans to make Olympic Stadium their new home MARTIN SAMUEL: Jowell deserves an Olympic medal in utter madnessOlympics Minister Jowell delivers Hammer blow to West Ham's moveHammer house of horrors! Gold and Sullivan reveal the truth behind the financial meltdown they've uncovered at West Ham'West Ham Olympic': 2012 stadium move could see rebranding, says BradyDavid Sullivan reveals staggering debts at West Ham after completing £105m takeover with David Gold WEST HAM UNITED FC
