Leyton Orient's Bid For Olympic Stadium Cost Club More Than $803K In Legal Fees

League One football club Leyton Orient's "bid to become the joint tenants of the Olympic Stadium has so far cost the club" more than £500,000 ($803,900) in legal fees, according to Tony Yorke of SPORTS DIRECT NEWS. The League One table-topper, which has amassed a maximum 21 points from its opening seven league fixtures, has now "racked up a legal bill accounting for almost 15% of the club's annual turnover." Owner Barry Hearn "had been hoping Orient would be granted the right to seek a Judicial Review of the original decision." Hearn's hopes "turned to dust when the High Court threw out Orient's legal application" on Sept. 19. Football consultant Dean Carter said, "With hindsight, Hearn may be regretting his decision to pursue this action. It's been a license for the club to burn money -- and everyone in football, with the exception of Leyton Orient -- felt there was little chance this legal challenge would amount to anything" (SPORTS DIRECT NEWS, 9/25).