City & East London Assembly Member John Biggs today described the proposals for American NFL teams to be the anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium as “an act of desperation”. Mr Biggs who represents the area on the London Assembly has written to the Mayor urging him to focus his efforts on finding a tenant who local residents would want to go and watch.
Mr Biggs believes that having an NFL team would mean a lost opportunity to engage local residents in the post-Olympics regeneration of the area and would tacitly confirm that the stadium had become a 'white elephant'.
Labour’s City Hall Olympics spokesperson John Biggs said:“I’ve got nothing against American football but I think local residents would prefer a local football or other sports team to be the main tenant. If the Mayor forces the NFL on East London I am worried it will alienate residents and confirm that the idea of the stadium as a venue for the local community, have finally fizzled out.
“The Olympics were an amazing spectacle, enjoyed by the whole country and across the world. Now it's time to focus on the regeneration of East London, finding a long term sustainable use for the Olympic Stadium is key. I have no problem with American Football taking place in Stratford, but as an 'anchor tenant' it would be a pretty weak anchor. The NFL would probably pull out if they didn’t generate the crowds and revenues they need. The Mayor should focus on finding a long-term tenant for the stadium, rather than indulging on another one of his quick-fix vanity schemes.
“During the build up to the Games local residents had to put up with years of disruption. They now need the stadium to have an enduring use, rooted in the local community. Not a single resident has contacted me saying they want this to happen. Let’s hope the Mayor listens to Londoners for a change rather than the lobbyists of the NFL.”