Expert shares David Sullivan and Karren Brady bombshell that will leave West Ham fans raging
West Ham could be set for further fan protests as the club’s much-despised hierarchy may not go anywhere if the club are relegated to the Championship.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider his verdict on West Ham‘s ownership selling the club if they are relegated from the Premier League this season.
West Ham fans have protested against the ownership at matches this season, with supporters wanting David Sullivan and Karren Brady to step down from their positions.
Executive Director Tara Warren has left her role at West Ham amid the unrest, and she was seen as an ally to Brady.
West Ham owners ‘looking to stay put’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes West Ham’s valuation could drop by £100million if they lose their Premier League status.
Even worse for a West Ham fan base that is consistently calling for Brady and Sullivan to sell up and leave, the prospect of the duo staying is now more likely.
“I mean, for the current owners this would be a very financially motivated decision,” Plumley said.
“I think that the pressure will come, no doubt, from the fans. We’ve seen that already. And if they were relegated, you imagine those fan protests would ramp up more and more.
“The reality financially is that the club has a better chance of driving value for those owners if they’re in the Premier League. You know, you could lose a £100m off valuation between a Premier League club and a Championship club because of the TV money. And revenue is a big factor in driving valuation.
“So if you are looking to sell as an owner, you would want to be selling as a Premier League club, not a Championship club. I think that’s really tricky for a current owner because, you know, those numbers, and you, know the industry and if you do have an exit strategy in mind, the values realised is far greater being a Premier League club, but you’ve got to get back there, obviously, if you get relegated.
“So I think the way I would kind of look at that is, I’m sure there’ll be more pressure from the fans if they were to be relegated. But I think the owners financially would be looking to stay put and get the club back into the Premier League.”
West Ham relegation would impact club valuation
West Ham have previously been valued at £1billion when the London club were in European competition.
The Hammers’ success under David Moyes has not been repeated since, with multiple managers struggling at the club under the current ownership.
Relegation will significantly hit the club’s revenue, and they would be expected to lose a number of star players in the summer transfer window.