Wilson - City Better Off At The Ricoh

Last updated : 20 March 2015 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City would be better staying at the Ricoh Arena than building a new stadium according to Robert Wilson, Sheffield Hallam University’s expert in football finance.

Speaking to Simon Gilbert of the Coventry Telegraph, Mr Wilson said:  “My personal view, based on research and evidence, is that I’m a big fan of multi-use stadiums - particularly in League One and League Two.

The arrival of Wasps should help both of those professional sports teams to run their businesses financially securely.

“If the team gets back into the Championship, maybe then they should look at building a new stadium, but what they have got seems like a pretty good deal to me.

“The counter argument to reduced revenues is that you have no costs. That £100,000 a year rent is dwarfed by what any other club pays to maintain and run a stadium.

“If you look at the Ricoh Arena arrangement, they could potentially get enough income from one game to pay the rent for a year.

“For me it would be crazy to look at a stadium build when you’re on a deal like that.”

More on this - http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-coventry-city-fc-stadium-8874769