If Leeds United’s problems with Elland Road are not remedied, they risk going “further into decline.”
Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie urged the incoming owners to resolve any ownership issues surrounding the stadium in an exclusive interview with Football Insider.
The club hierarchy must pay former Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani £1.7 million in rent annually to use Elland Road, according to a report by Football Insider on October 11.
While the club was charged the same amount for the lease last season, when Radrizzani was in control, £1 million of that was loaned back to the club. The contract is scheduled to expire in 2032.
Earlier this summer, Radrizzani and 49ers businesses, who have been minority shareholders since 2018, reached an agreement to sell Radrizzani’s majority interest. When Radrizzani acquired the Yorkshire giants in 2017, he also bought the stadium.
But according to Football Insider (10 October), the 49ers have begun the process of buying stadium shares.
McAvennie found it incomprehensible that the club had to pay to use their own stadium. It is a little strange, he admitted to Football Insider.
“That aspect of the game genuinely eludes me. It’s similar to renting a property; you have no control over it.
“Buy everything if you’re going to purchase a football team. If they do not resolve it, their decline can worsen. If someone wants to buy Leeds and move them forward, I would hope they would be willing to fix it. Leeds is a huge club and their fans deserve more.
