LONDON (DF) -- After losing out in a high-stakes bidding war to become the Olympic Stadium's primary post-Games tenant, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is now planning crisis talks with rivals West Ham to discuss sharing the stadium after 2012.
Tottenham abandoned their plans to redevelop White Hart Lane in favor of their Olympic Stadium bid and have been left in limbo as their current home can no longer support their lofty ambitions. Despite a long history in North London, many on the club's board of directors feel as if they have outgrown the area.
"It simply isn't an option anymore," said a Spurs spokesman of the club remaining at White Hart Lane. "When the board decided we were going to push on with moving the club to Stratford in favor Tottenham, we made a commitment to leave. As a club, we remain fully committed. The fact that we're still forced to play our home games here makes us extremely uncomfortable."
West Ham were awarded the future Olympic Stadium tenancy in a unanimous decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Committee in February. Their bid, which promised to maintain the athletic track around the football pitch, was met with enthusiasm by the local council and UK Athletics.
"Obviously, we're excited to have the opportunity to work with West Ham now and in the future," declared UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner. "I firmly believe the athletics track will only add to the atmosphere. Fans will have to yell louder to be heard. It's a good thing. Maybe West Ham games will be more like track meets. They can be very exciting."
Spurs are hopeful West Ham and the Olympic Park Legacy Committee will consider the possibility of a future groundshare, especially if the Hammers find themselves relegated at the end of the season.
"West Ham's financial position is precarious," added the Spurs spokesman. "If they go down, we'd be willing to offer financial incentives for a groundshare. Ideally, they're down long enough and we buy them out entirely."
