West Ham can block any attempt from Tottenham to share Olympic Stadium

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Veto: West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium ahead of the 2016-17 season

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Mark Bryans

13 September 2014

West Ham have the power to prevent their Olympic Stadium home being shared with Tottenham for the 2017-18 season.

The Hammers have been awarded a 99-year lease to become anchor tenants of the landmark London 2012 venue and are set to leave Upton Park for the 54,000-seater stadium in August 2016.

But, with news that Tottenham's own new stadium will not be ready for the 2017-18 season, they are now looking for an alternative temporary home - and the Olympic site is believed to be on a shortlist of possible solutions.

Spurs' stadium options - pros and cons

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The London Legacy Development Corporation took the decision to hand West Ham the long-term lease and its chair of the budget and performance committee John Biggs admitted a second deal with Spurs would be beneficial to the company.

"The government has cut funding to the LLDC, so it's pretty clear that it would welcome an approach from Tottenham, as the income generated would be a boost," he said.

"Retro-fitting a roof to the Olympic Stadium is an expensive exercise and Londoners will have to foot the cost of any overruns. The Olympic Stadium is a good option for Spurs fans and for taxpayers - although West Ham may have something to say about it - but I'm sure it would be possible to come to a ground-sharing agreement."

It is understood that the Hammers would not just have a say on the matter, they would in fact need to approve any agreement that may be struck with London rivals Tottenham to utilise the Olympic Stadium - although it is believed the Hammers have yet to be approached with any such deal.

The other serious options available to Tottenham appear to be stadium:mk, home of the MK Dons, and Wembley but even a move to the national stadium would be fraught with potential snags.

With the venue restricted to 37 events per year due to their contract with Brent Council, the number of games Tottenham could host there would be lowered due to existing football commitments as well as concerts and other events.

There have been over 30 events already at the stadium in 2014 so, if a similar scenario occurred in 2017, there would be severe limitations for Tottenham games.

A possible scenario could see Spurs play the majority of their games at stadium:mk with their bigger, most appealing fixtures, played out at Wembley - similar to Saracens, who play their bigger European rugby ties at the stadium.

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West Ham can block any attempt from Tottenham to share Olympic Stadium

Spurs' stadium options - pros and cons

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