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West Ham could bypass Premier League rules to strike £100m off-pitch deal

West Ham could theoretically find a workaround for an imminent Premier League rule change that would allow them to secure a new ultra-lucrative commercial deal.

The Hammers have been one of the only Premier League clubs to have essentially broken even in recent years, thanks mainly to their success in Europe.

However, their commercial operation and matchday income have also been significant drivers, worth a combined total of almost £90m last season alone.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

But vice-chairman Karren Brady, who was recently in the Middle East seeking fresh investment in the club, has said that one of their main commercial deals will not be renewed.

The Irons have been partnered with Betway since 2015, making it one of the longest-running front-of-shirt deals in the Premier League.

They latest iteration of the deal is worth £10m per season and expires at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

West Ham forced to abandon Betway deal

As a result of government pressure the Premier League has agreed to ban front-of-shirt gambling sponsors from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Gambling sponsors are still the biggest ticket in terms of sponsorship revenue throughout the English pyramid and much of the top flight.

Betway’s deal with West Ham has been a commercial success, with the club profiting handsomely from it and the brand getting exposure from activations such as the pre-season Betway Cup.

Brady and West Ham’s commercial decision makers will therefore be frustrated to lose the relationship.

However, there could be something of a workaround.

Betway could sign West Ham naming rights deal worth £100m-plus

According to West Ham journalist and insider , there is a possibility that Betway could continue with the club as a sleeve sponsor.

Gambling brands are still permitted as sleeve sponsors, and that is set to inflate the value of the sleeve sponsorship market, according to most analysts.

It is also claimed that a naming rights deal for the London Stadium could be an option, which would see the value of the potential tie-in soar to in excess of £100m over a circa 10-year deal.

Why have West Ham not done a naming rights deal yet?

The club have endured something of a frosty relationship with the London Stadium landlords since moving into the arena almost a decade ago.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

A naming rights deal has been difficult to broker because the landlords are entitled to the first £4m plus 50 per cent of any excess, which would leave West Ham with only a token amount.

But the departure of a number of key figures from LLDC, the publicly-funded body responsible for the running of the stadium, could provide an opportunity to rectify the lack of a naming rights deal.