Stratford Hotspur

[hgodden]

If Spurs move to the Olympic Stadium I can see this potentially having impilications for the future of world football. If they do move then it's highly likley they will be forced to change their name as they will no longer be in Tottenham. This might not just impact Spurs fans though - if they do change their name then what's to stop them getting a sponsor in to pay to use the naming rights of the club over 10 years, just like they're already looking to do for the new stadium? They estimate the stadium naming rights would bring in £150 million over 10 years, but naming rights to the club itself would surely be far more lucrative than that. Now suppose they managed to bring in £30 million a season from the naming rights, that's as much as a team gets for qualifying for the champions league, and would be legal under Platini's financial fair play rules that will come in 2 years time. It would give them a huge advantage and, here's the big fear, lead to other clubs who aren't even moving stadium doing exactly the same as they wouldn't be able to compete with the extra cash Spurs would be getting. It's not unfeasable that anyone going into a coma right now might wake up in 10 years time to check the football fixtures and see that Pedigree Chum Hotspurs are playing Go Cat Rovers and wonder what the hell had happened to their club! I wouldn't put it past club owners, fans are pretty much powerless to stop them, and once one does it, others will follow. Promises of extra transfer cash will pacify many of the 'supporters,' whom at many clubs all they seem to focus on is who they should buy or get rid of, thanks to sky sports news transfer deadline day is becoming a bigger day in the football calendar than cup final day! Trouble is it will just lead to even greater transfer fees and wage inflation. I hope the authorities see the potential problems this could cause, although frankly they seem to be happy with any new money coming into the sport, regardless of where it comes from or however it rips a hole in the soul of the sport

[SilentDave]

I agree entirely. Unfortunately there was a precedent when Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes. At this rate we will be moving to a US style franchise system.

Another significant point, IMHO, is Spurs (or West Ham) moving to Stratford will also mean the death knell for Leyton Orient one of the league's oldest clubs.

[SilentDave]

Orient express Olympic Stadium fears
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 372145.stm