Thursday, April 14, 2016

West Ham to pay £2.5m Olympic Stadium rent per year

West Ham released computer graphics of what their team playing at the Olympic Stadium would look like
West Ham will pay £2.5m a year to rent the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium, it has been revealed after the deal was made public following a legal battle.
The ground's owners, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), fought a ruling that the contract should be published, but the appeal was rejected this week.
West Ham will pay the sum per year over the 99-year lease, the 207-page document has revealed.
The Hammers move in this summer.
The first £4m of any naming rights deal will go to the LLDC and Newham borough, with anything above that between the two bodies and West Ham, although the amount is capped.
The rent will be halved to £1.25m if West Ham are relegated.
The LLDC, which had spent thousands of pounds fighting the ruling, said the decision could cost the organisation "millions of pounds".
But it has decided not to appeal against the tribunal's ruling.
Extra payments West Ham could have to make annually
£1m if they win the Champions League£100,000 if they win the FA Cup or Europa League, or qualify for it
£250,000 if they qualify for the Champions League group stages (All payments linked to inflation)£100,000 if they finish in the top five in the Premier League, with smaller payments for other positions in the top 10
The club were awarded tenancy of the London 2012 stadium in 2013, and at least £272m has been spent to convert the site for use as a Premier League ground.
West Ham have contributed £15m towards those costs. Last year a BBC documentary revealed the club was having many of the running costs of the stadium paid for it by the taxpayer under the terms of the tenancy agreement.
The Hammers will not have to pay for a range of things including policing, stewarding, goalposts, corner flags, cleaners and turnstile operators. Heating and lighting costs will also be covered by the stadium managers.
However, stadium bosses point out that this is normal for a rental agreement, using the analogy that you would not expect to hire a badminton court and not have nets supplied.
A coalition of 14 supporters' trusts from around the country submitted a Freedom of Information request to obtain that tenancy agreement and believe the deal gives West Ham, who have played at Upton Park since 1904, a competitive advantage.
West Ham say they have nothing to hide, believe it is a "great deal" for the club and the taxpayer, and say the stadium offers a true legacy.
The club added: "Someone renting the stadium for 25 days a year cannot be responsible for 365 days' running costs."
A coalition of 14 supporters' groups and trusts of several different clubs campaigned for the information to be released. In a statement it said: "This is the right decision for the taxpayer, and the right decision for football."

Analysis

BBC Sport's Frank Keogh:
"After a long-running legal row, campaigners have finally succeeded in getting all the details of the Olympic Stadium deal made public.
"That is unlikely to completely end the story, with critics saying West Ham have got a new stadium on the cheap.
"The Hammers are keeping their distance, although insist by becoming a high-profile anchor tenant, the club is helping to ensure the venue does not become a 'white elephant'. As a tenant, it also misses out on benefits of added income which a venue owner enjoys.
"Focus may now turn to the stadium rights arrangement, and quite how much the Hammers might benefit from that."

Barcelona: Luis Enrique takes blame for Champions League exit

Lionel Messi (left) failed to score for the fifth game in a row for Barcelona
Barcelona are "in a hole" and "finding it difficult to score goals" admitted boss Luis Enrique following their shock Champions League quarter-final defeat.
The holders were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid,who won the second leg 2-0.
"The team are sad. We aren't at our best at the moment, nor our most effective," he said.
"I'm 99.9% to blame, no 100. That's why I am the coach, the most responsible. We all have to improve."
Antoine Griezmann scored both goals for Atletico at the Vicente Calderon, while Lionel Messi failed to net for the fifth club game in a row.
"It is clear that we are not in our best form, especially if you consider how we were playing before, but we need to lift ourselves," added Enrique.
It is only the third time in 11 years that Barcelona have not reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
They are three points clear of Atletico at the top of La Liga, but have lost three of their past four games in all competitions.
"It was the game we predicted, although perhaps I didn't expect Atletico to play so deep. It wasn't our best day," added Enrique, who won the treble in his first year in charge at Barca.
"We have to stay calm and think that we still have two competitions where we are in the running.
"Everyone can choose the explanation. To give mine I have to analyse the performance. It is not our best time, but it is not the time to be nervous."
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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid forward enjoys 'beautiful night'

Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally to 46 for the season for Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at his critics after his 37th Real Madrid hat-trick helped them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Real overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 on Tuesday.
In February, the Portuguese forward walked out of a Champions League news conference after being questioned about his record in away matches this season.
"Considering this has been a 'bad' season for me, it has not been that bad," Ronaldo, 31, said after victory.
He scored twice in three minutes early on to cancel out Wolfsburg's advantage, sweeping home at the back post from six yards before glancing a header into the far corner.
He completed his hat-trick and sealed Real's place in the last four with a 25-yard free-kick 13 minutes from time at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Ronaldo, who was booed by his own supporters during the 2-0 second-leg victory over Roma in the last 16, took his tally to 46 goals in all competitions this season, including 16 in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top goalscorer in both the Champions League and La Liga this season
"It was not the best, but one of my best, European nights," said Ronaldo.
"It was a magic night for me. I'm very happy after having scored three goals and raise my numbers, but the most important thing was the team. The team was intense and played very well. It is a beautiful night."
"People can criticise me but I just keep on going and the numbers are there for all to see. I am very happy and with a month left of the season I can get even better.
"It's not bad, is it? Goals are in my DNA and I want to keep scoring them for the team."
Real coach Zinedine Zidane said: "What can I tell you about Cristiano? He is demonstrating how good he is. He makes the difference.
"He is the best player in the world and nights like tonight make him a special player. Cristiano needs the whole team too but not everyone can score three goals in a game."
Manchester City reached the semi-finals by beating Paris St-Germain, while Atletico Madrid face Barcelona and Benfica meet Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the final two places.
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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Fernando Alonso a doubt for Chinese Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has been unable to do his normal full training programme in the two-week gap since the race in Bahrain
Fernando Alonso says he does not know whether he will be able to race in this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver was ruled out of the last race in Bahrain because of a broken rib sustained in his terrifying accident at the season-opening race in Australia.
The two-time champion said: "Until I get the all-clear from the doctors to race we cannot assume anything.
"But I'm continuing to prepare for the race weekend as normal."
The Spaniard, who has been in China since Monday, will be examined by doctors of governing body the FIA on his arrival at the Shanghai track on Thursday.
Alonso has been unable to do his normal full training programme in the two-week gap between Bahrain and China as a result of his injury.
Last week, the 34-year-old posted images of himself on social media returning to training and wrote: "Gradually increasing the training session. Mainly indoor bicycle and elastics. (The ones you are allowed with a broken rib ...)! Happy with how things are going."
Alonso spent the weekend at a luxury resort in Tuscany before flying to the Far East.
If he cannot race in Shanghai, he will again be replaced by McLaren's reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne.
The 24-year-old Belgian impressed in Bahrain by out-qualifying team-mate Jenson Button on his grand prix debut and scoring a point for 10th place.

NBA: Kobe Bryant & Golden State Warriors ticket prices soar

Kobe Bryant (left) could add to his 33,583 points in his final game on Wednesday, while Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors are seeking a record 73 wins
Basketball fans are paying up to $27,500 (£19,315) to see Kobe Bryant's final game for the LA Lakers.
Bryant, 37, the third-highest scorer in NBA history, will bring his 20-year career to an end when the Lakers face Utah Jazz in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
At the same time, defending champions Golden State Warriors will be going for a record 73 wins when they host Memphis Grizzlies in Oakland, California.
Resale tickets for that game are going for up to $15,900 (£11,155).
The Warriors are looking to break a record set by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995-96.
The game is a 19,595 capacity sell-out with tickets only available via the resale market. Tickets via official channels start at $336 (£236) and rise to £15,900 for courtside seats on resale websites such as Stubhub.
Only resale tickets can be bought for the Lakers' game at the 18,118-capacity Staples Center too, with prices fetching between $700 (£491) and $27,500 for the chance to see 18-time all-star and five-time championship winner Bryant for a final time.
The Lakers have issued a fraud alert to fans warning them to only buy from their official ticket exchange, where fans can resell tickets securely. However, buyers using the official exchange can still expect to pay up to $10,000 (£7,000) to see the game.

County Championship: Ian Bell century gives Warwickshire lead against Hampshire

an Bell is playing his first game as Warwickshire's new county captain
Specsavers County Championship Division One, Ageas Bowl
Hampshire v Warwickshire (close, day three)
Hampshire 202: McLaren 84no, Barker 5-58, Clarke 3-43
Warwickshire 283-6: Bell 130no, Woakes 66, Edwards 3-80
Warwhire 5 pts, Hampshire 2 pts
Match scorecard
Warwickshire captain Ian Bell made his first century in 10 months to give the England selectors a nudge and earn a first-innings lead against Hampshire.
Bell's six-hour vigil for an unbeaten 130, his 51st first-class hundred, has given the Bears a slim hope of victory.
After Monday's lost day, it took just four overs for the Bears to wrap up Hampshire's first innings for 202.
Warwickshire then struggled to 132-5, before Chris Woakes (66) helped Bell steer them to 283-6 at the close.
Building on Keith Barker's five-wicket haul on the first day, Rikki Clarke got the third day off to a good start for Warwickshire with two early wickets, starting with Ryan McLaren, to earn him figures of 3-43.
Having rescued Hampshire from 87-7 on Sunday, McLaren only added one to his overnight score before playing a Clarke bouncer onto his own stumps, departing for 85.
West Indian Fidel Edwards then slapped a four straight down the ground to earn a batting point before holing out, leaving James Tomlinson stranded on 23.
Edwards then gave Hampshire the perfect start by removing both openers, former Bears captains Ian Westwood and Varun Chopra.
But helped by partnerships of 49 with Jonathan Trott (27) and Sam Hain (25), and with Hampshire short of the injured Reece Topley, Bell took control.
Just a day after his 34th birthday, and on the same day that the sad news ofJames Taylor's early retirement broke, he shared a 151-run stand with Woakes, his fellow England hopeful, although the latter fell lbw to Edwards with the final ball of the day.
Warwickshire captain Ian Bell on James Taylor's retirement:
"It is an immensely sad day. We couldn't believe it when we were told this morning. Thoughts are with Titch and with a speedy recovery.
"He is one of the top blokes in English cricket and I know Chris Woakes is very close and really upset. It is shocking news."
Hampshire captain James Vince on James Taylor's retirement:
"It has been extremely sad. It is never nice when news like that comes out especially for someone who is so dedicated and hard working for the sport. To have it taken away like that is heart-breaking.
"He has always been an excellent performer and his numbers have been excellent. He had the world ahead of him in terms of international cricket and an extremely sad day."

View from the commentary box

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Clive Eakin:
"Warwickshire may have to pay a price for the way two of their players dominated the third day. The performances of Ian Bell and Chris Woakes in sharing a stand of 151 suggest they may be away from their county again and back in the England set-up before very long.
"Bell's century may not have been the most entertaining of the 51 he has scored in first class cricket, but it was calm, confident and faultless, apart from surviving a stumping chance on 95.
"Woakes paced his innings impressively and, having bowled well on the first day, has enhanced his international prospects.
"Hampshire will take encouragement from the way they kept Warwickshire tied down for long spells despite being a bowler light due to Reece Topley's injury and spinner Liam Dawson in particular bowled very tightly."

Masters 2016: Danny Willett predicts 'special' times ahead

Winning the Masters is a "fantastic start" to achieving "special things" in golf, says Danny Willett.
The Yorkshireman, 28, is the first European winner at Augusta since 1999 and only the fourth British champion.
"It's a great feeling and hopefully one we can have many more times," said Willett of his first major victory.
Willett's manager Chubby Chandler said the golfer could win another major this year and become number one in the world "without any doubt".
Carding a final-round five-under-par 67, the Englishman took advantage of defending champion Jordan Spieth dropping six shots in three holes.
The last European to win at Augusta was Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, while the only other British champions have been Nick Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996), Sandy Lyle (1988) and Ian Woosnam (1991).
Chandler said Willett, a 2007 Walker Cup team-mate of three-time major winner Rory McIlroy, could "become one of the greats of his time".
"He won't be distracted. He knows exactly what he's trying to do. Winning the Masters is the start of the journey, not the end of the journey," said Chandler.
"He knows exactly how many majors Rory has won and he will want to get up there and past Rory's tally. If you take Tiger Woods out, what is the next best tally of majors among current players? Phil Mickeslon with five."