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Sponsors concerned about West Ham allegations

Boyle Sports, a principal partner of West Ham and whose logo appeared on the front of their men’s and women’s team shirts last season, is the first of the club’s commercial partners to comment on the claims made about Sullivan in a joint investigation by the BBC and The Times.

In a statement to The Athletic, a Boyle Sports spokesperson said: “BOYLE Sports is extremely concerned at the serious nature of the allegations levelled against David Sullivan.

“It is our understanding that the Independent Football Regulator is reviewing this matter urgently and we wholeheartedly support their efforts in doing so.”

The BBC/Times investigation accused Sullivan, 77, of abusing his power while he was owner of the adult-themed Daily and Sunday Sport newspaper. The accusations, which date back to the 1980s, were by seven different women in their late teens or early twenties, who claim Sullivan preyed on them for sex in return for advancing their modelling careers.

Sullivan has said that he “categorically denies” all the allegations and called them “factually incorrect and entirely false”. He also said he would be taking legal action.

West Ham have continually insisted that the allegations made about Sullivan, who has resigned his position as vice-chair but remains the club’s biggest shareholder with a 38.8 per cent stake, are unrelated to the club or any of its operations.But the intervention of Boyle Sports, one of the club’s biggest partners, is likely to raise concerns about the commercial effect the allegations could have on the club.

Boyle Sports is Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker and signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with West Ham in July 2025. It is the only principal partner listed on West Ham’s website.

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