West Ham to have greater spending power after price hike – Stefan Borson
West Ham’s ticket price hike for next season could significantly increase their spending power over the next few years.
That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the issue will be around where the extra cash is spent and whether it goes on just topping up the players’ wages.
There has been a backlash from several West Ham fans after the club have restricted new concession season tickets to bands five and six, while prices have also been raised for the upcoming campaign.
A group of supporters have launched a petition calling on London Stadium chiefs to scrap the price increase and take away the new terms for concessions season tickets.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady revealed in an open letter to fans on 9 July the “small price uplift” has meant the club are able to continue investing in the playing squad for the season ahead.
West Ham price increase could have ‘big’ impact on budget
Although Borson admitted there is unlikely to be an immediate change to the budget, he suggested ticket price increases could have a “big impact” on the club’s available funds further down the line.
He told Football Insider: “I suspect we will see very substantial ticket price increases across the league year-in-year-out.
“While they are not going to have a big impact on the transfer pot straight away, clearly over time if you can move your matchday from £50million to £100million a season, that’s going to have a big impact in what you’re going to be spending.
“But as usual, we get back to the same question of where is that additional money going to go and is it just going to go on wages like it always has done?
“If it does and it goes straight out of the game into the hands of the players, then it’s not going to help with the sustainability of the game.
“It’s going to mean the players are going to get higher wages and be asked to play more games, which clearly isn’t sustainable.
“I think it’s a big issue more generally.”
In other news, West Ham expect defender bids after £35million reveal.
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