Today is the tenth anniversary of the date upon which West Ham United FC was confirmed as the anchor concessionaire for the Olympic Stadium.
On 22 March 2013 a deal was struck with the London Legacy Development Corporation confirming the club as the new tenant of the stadium, which had been built for the 2012 Olympic Games.Speaking at the time, then Mayor of London Boris Johnson stated: "This is a truly momentous milestone for London’s spectacular Olympic Stadium ensuring its credible and sustainable future.
"With a series of world class entertainment and sporting fixtures already in the bag for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this iconic site is set to be the glittering centrepiece of ambitious regeneration plans for east London, which will capitalise on the Olympic investment into this area for the long term benefit of this city."
The Mayor comments were echoed by West Ham's current vice chair Karren Brady, who added: "I commend my two chairmen (David Sullivan and the late David Gold) for their passion and commitment. I am delighted this has been rewarded now that their ambition to see the club they love enjoy a bright future at the Olympic Stadium has been realised.
"It was important to me that we struck a deal that would stand the test of time that represented the right deal for West Ham United and our loyal and patient supporters."
While a statement released on behalf of the joint chairmen read: "Since we came to West Ham in 2010 we have had a vision to really take the club forward so West Ham United can compete on the pitch at the highest level.
"Today's decision offers us a real platform to do this and we are fully committed to making it a real success."
The agreement, signalling the end of the club's century-long association with the Boleyn Ground granted West Ham permission to use the stadium for 99 years.
However today's date is important chiefly because from midnight tonight, the club's existing shareholders will be permitted to sell their stake in West Ham United without being affected by the expiring 10-year windfall penalty clause, which ensured all sales were subject to a 20% per cent tax clause.
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