Any potential agreement on the ownership of the Liberty Stadium will not be dependent on the ground’s tenant, Premier League football club Swansea City, securing its top-flight status this season, according to WalesOnline.
The 20,520-capacity venue is currently owned by Swansea Council, which is considering a deal to sell or lease the stadium to Swansea’s American owners. The ground also serves as the home of the Ospreys rugby union team.
US businessmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan completed their takeover of Swansea last July and revealed their desire to expand the Liberty Stadium soon after. Levien and Kaplan are also keen on securing a naming-rights partner for the venue.
It was recently reported that the ground’s ownership could be decided by May ahead of local council elections. The Premier League season would still be ongoing at this stage and Swansea’s Premier League status could be in the balance.
However, WalesOnline reports that, if terms can be agreed, a deal will be struck even if Swansea ends up being relegated to the second-tier Championship.
The report added that a clause would be included in any long-term agreement to review the annual lease fee and take into account the adverse effects relegation would have on the club’s finances.
Swansea is currently 16th in the table, two points above the relegation zone
Swansea and Ospreys currently pay a peppercorn fee to rent the stadium from the Swansea Stadium Management Company (SSMC), which was set up by the two clubs and the council to oversee the running of the facility.
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