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Is the corporate box dead?

One would expect someone involved in the design of big stadiums to big up their benefits, but nevertheless EMEA managing director Christopher Lee makes some interesting points in an interview with off.the.pitch.com.

'In many ways I think the corporate box is somewhat dead.   We see a smaller number of much larger corporate boxes, whether they are corporates or high net-worth individuals.'

'We're trying to create clubs within clubs and spaces within spaces.  You might end up sitting with 100 or 200 people that you may know.'

'We've started sort of mirroring the airline industry with the premium economy model.   There are lots of fans who have a bit of money and wouldn't mind upgrading to a sports bar or something.'

Lee noted that Spurs are pulling in something like £15 spend per head in the new stadium compared with £3 at White Hart Lane.  Daniel Levy told him that their competition was the High Street.

When Arsenal were at Highbury match day revenues were around £40m.  At the Emirates they went up to £90m and are now around £110m.

Lee said that 'consumers' wouldn't put anymore with going 'through a turnstile that's pretty akin to a prison, you eat very bad food and drink, very overpriced warm beer.'   Of course, fans have other priorities.  Brave new world!

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