Premiership Rugby side London Wasps is expected to confirm next week that it "has been successful in taking a majority share in the company that owns the Ricoh Stadium" as part of a multi-million pound move to make the Coventry venue its permanent home, according to Gavin Mars of the London TELEGRAPH. It is understood that "the players have already been informed that the switch from Adams Park in High Wycombe is now expected to proceed in time for the start of next season in a move designed to secure the long-term future of the club." The club has been in negotiations with the stadium owners, Arena Coventry Ltd., for several months and is hopeful that an expected £30M ($48M) deal to secure at least a 90% stake in the company "will be approved by Coventry City Council at a meeting next Tuesday." The club declined to comment on the deal however, and is understood "to be bound by confidentiality clauses with third parties." The move from Adams Park "has prompted objections from Worcester, who were relegated from the Premiership last season." Northampton and Leicester "are also thought to be unhappy at the idea of a major Premiership rival moving so close to their heartlands and competing both for supporters and player recruitment" (TELEGRAPH, 10/2).
THE BEST OPTION: In London, Alex Lowe wrote Wasps owner Derek Richardson stated the need "for the club to own their own stadium" when he rescued it from bankruptcy last year. He hoped to find a site "closer to the club's roots," but "with stadium options limited in and around the capital and with Wasps losing £3 million a year, Coventry has emerged as the leading option" (LONDON TIMES, 10/6). The BBC reported the football club declined to comment and said that "it was a matter for the council and the Alan Higgs Trust." The charity "has also refused to comment, and the council declined to confirm a meeting was due to be held next week." However, in a statement the council said it was "committed to consider all options available to not just protect but also maximise the potential of the Ricoh Arena" (BBC, 10/3). In Coventry, Simon Gilbert wrote a petition "has been set up by supporters of Premiership rugby side Wasps to oppose the relocation of their club to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry." Wasps fan Alexander Hayton "has set up the online petition which has gathered around 500 signatures." The petition calls plans to move the traditionally London-based club away from the area a “betrayal” (COVENTRY TELEGRAPH, 10/3).
