By Chris Wright
BBC Sport are crowing this morning that West Ham have become the first Premier League side to announce that they are planning to slash their ticket prices as a direct result of the enormous new television right deal signed a few months back.
As you may recall Sky and BT Sport have paid £5.13billion to secure the live Premier League television rights for three seasons from 2016/17.
As such, the Hammers have confirmed today that, as of 2016/17, their cheapest adult season ticket will be slashed from £620 to just £289 – with an under-16 season ticket also being introduced at the very reasonable price of £99.
Incidentally, it should be noted that the 2016/17 season will be the club’s first at the Olympic Stadium.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said:
“We have always said that the move to our magnificent new stadium would be a game changer for West Ham.
“It was a chance to increase revenue, invest in the team and improve our performance on the pitch, but without putting an extra financial burden on the supporters who already come to watch every home match.
“This announcement proves we have kept our promise.”
Of course, the cynical among you may suggest that West Ham are actually being congratulated for simply cutting prices and diluting their matchday revenue to ensure their cavernous new stadium (which they’ve pretty much been given for free) looks something like full as and when they move in.
But that’s really none of our business.