West Ham losing £2m a match without fans at Premier League games, says Karren Brady
Club vice-chair also says other clubs are losing up to £10m every match in lost ticket and commercial revenue
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.West Ham United are losing £2m a match with spectators barred from attending games amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Premier League club's vice-chair Karren Brady has said.
Fans have not been allowed to attend matches since England's professional game restarted in June, leaving clubs in the lurch and lower league sides requiring a financial rescue package from the top flight.
"It's fatal for everybody. West Ham is losing £2m a match in lost ticket revenue and corporate revenue. Some clubs are losing as much as £10m a match," Brady told the BBC.
"You talk about the pyramid of football but there is also a pyramid within the Premier League. Right at the top you have clubs owned by sovereign states and right at the bottom you have those who are not.
"Everyone is suffering but just like smaller businesses, whether football or non-football, they don't have many cash reserves and that is what is happening to the smaller football clubs."
READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table — all matches by date and kick-off time
Brady said she was frustrated because outdoor stadiums are closed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus but matches were being screened at cinemas, adding that the "atmosphere is suffering" without fans in attendance.
"We couldn't have our supporters in which is literally why football exists but you could watch a game at the cinema, the O2 was open, the Royal Albert Hall was open, the London Palladium was open but open-aired, Covid-free stadiums aren't," she added.
"We are told it is early next March before we let supporters in. We have to do everything in terms of making people feel safe, giving the government confidence that we can provide these Covid-19 safe stadiums."
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments