Stadium Matchday Upgrade

[Jagermesiter1871]

Group of us were watching the arsenal game post match in the hotel bar until 3 minutes before half time they decided to turn all the TVs off and shut the bar with the no warning. Carried on serving downstairs but apparently no sky sports down there. Truly bizarre.

[RG30]

Reading FC chairman and owner Rob Couhig has revealed that the Select Car Leasing Stadium will receive £5 million in improvements this summer.

Nearly a year into their stewardship, the owners say they are ready to invest in facilities to make the stadium an attractive venue.

This comes after Reading FC's annual financial accounts for the 2024/25 season have been dropped at Companies House - which have shown that the club have operating losses of £3.9 million for the year.

The club is estimated to pay £1,500,000 per year in rent for the Select Car Leasing Stadium under an operating lease - with matchday revenue at around £4,268,177, roughly a 4.88% increase from the previous season.

This means that roughly £1 in every £3 of matchday money is going straight out on stadium rent before you even get to stewards, policing, staff, utilities, etc.

Among the projects scheduled for this summer are a brand new pitch, new stadium lights capable of sound synchronization, refurbished bathrooms, safer standing spaces and a new fan village.

Owner Rob Couhig outlined the key elements of the renovation plan. Speaking about the pitch, Couhig said, "We're going to redo the field (pitch) in the sense we'll dig down two or three feet we'll redo the entire base we'll make it pristine and available to play, it'll be the best surface in EFL next year (season)."

In addition to the pitch, significant improvements will be made to the stadium’s lighting infrastructure. "We're going to change out the lighting system and put in better lights more syncopated lights which will be able to go with music and go with the times but they'll also be cheaper in that they'll less energy consuming," said Couhig.

Changes will also be made to the stadium’s advertising display technology. Couhig explained, "We're going to change out our LED boards around the side of the pitch they'll be bright they'll be crisp, one of the problems with the LED boards we have now they never go off even though they turn the lights off they continue to run so it costs us £10-20 thousand a month to run."

Couhig also discussed the annual running costs of operating the stadium, which he said are around £2.5 million. He stated his desire to host additional events beyond football matches, such as live concerts, and said: "We're going to change out our management of the stadium and get it out of house and bring in a full-time venue director so that we don't just have 25-30 games but we're using the stadium a 100 days a year or more," said Couhig.

The owner confirmed that the improvements to Select Car Leasing Stadium are planned to proceed regardless of Reading Football Club's on-field fortunes this season. Whether or not the club achieves promotion, the upgrades are intended to support both immediate improvements in fan experience and the long-term sustainability of the venue.

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news ... n-stadium/

[MR. CYNICAL]

Reading FC chairman and owner Rob Couhig has revealed that the Select Car Leasing Stadium will receive £5 million in improvements this summer.

Nearly a year into their stewardship, the owners say they are ready to invest in facilities to make the stadium an attractive venue.

This comes after Reading FC's annual financial accounts for the 2024/25 season have been dropped at Companies House - which have shown that the club have operating losses of £3.9 million for the year.

The club is estimated to pay £1,500,000 per year in rent for the Select Car Leasing Stadium under an operating lease - with matchday revenue at around £4,268,177, roughly a 4.88% increase from the previous season.

This means that roughly £1 in every £3 of matchday money is going straight out on stadium rent before you even get to stewards, policing, staff, utilities, etc.

Among the projects scheduled for this summer are a brand new pitch, new stadium lights capable of sound synchronization, refurbished bathrooms, safer standing spaces and a new fan village.

Owner Rob Couhig outlined the key elements of the renovation plan. Speaking about the pitch, Couhig said, "We're going to redo the field (pitch) in the sense we'll dig down two or three feet we'll redo the entire base we'll make it pristine and available to play, it'll be the best surface in EFL next year (season)."

In addition to the pitch, significant improvements will be made to the stadium’s lighting infrastructure. "We're going to change out the lighting system and put in better lights more syncopated lights which will be able to go with music and go with the times but they'll also be cheaper in that they'll less energy consuming," said Couhig.

Changes will also be made to the stadium’s advertising display technology. Couhig explained, "We're going to change out our LED boards around the side of the pitch they'll be bright they'll be crisp, one of the problems with the LED boards we have now they never go off even though they turn the lights off they continue to run so it costs us £10-20 thousand a month to run."

Couhig also discussed the annual running costs of operating the stadium, which he said are around £2.5 million. He stated his desire to host additional events beyond football matches, such as live concerts, and said: "We're going to change out our management of the stadium and get it out of house and bring in a full-time venue director so that we don't just have 25-30 games but we're using the stadium a 100 days a year or more," said Couhig.

The owner confirmed that the improvements to Select Car Leasing Stadium are planned to proceed regardless of Reading Football Club's on-field fortunes this season. Whether or not the club achieves promotion, the upgrades are intended to support both immediate improvements in fan experience and the long-term sustainability of the venue.

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news ... n-stadium/

Thought the sale included the club, stadium and training ground, so can someone explain why we are paying rent for the SCL?
Also, if we are renting it, why do we have to pay for the upgrades?

[The Royal Forester]

I thought the club and the Stadium (plus Bearwood) were purchased in one "lot". Why then, are the club paying themselves 1.5 million pounds a year? Or the three owned by different parts of Coulig's empire, which would mean the owners are paying themselves? Sorry if I have got this wrong but company finances leave me baffled anyway.

EDIT. SNAP!

[Armadillo Roadkill]

This is all really positive.

I thought the stadium came with the purchase. Don't know what the legal complexities must be, but as it's such a vital asset, I assume there must be some sort of ownership tie to the club.

[Clyde1998]

I'll also join the questioning about the stadium's ownership. I believed that was part of the takeover. Although reading the article, it seems to be on the journalist's end rather than anything Couhig said.

The advertising boards have been off during development matches too (unless they're on showing a black screen).

[Elm Park Kid]

Yes, i'm pretty sure that the club is just paying rent to a different company now owned by Couhig.

The leasing agreement was probably necessary to meet either EFL or HMRC requirements.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Yes, i'm pretty sure that the club is just paying rent to a different company now owned by Couhig.

The leasing agreement was probably necessary to meet either EFL or HMRC requirements.

Excuse me if I'm confused. Why is everything so complicated ?

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

[MR. CYNICAL]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

If I was Sir John, I'd be seething.

[RoyalBlue]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

If I was Sir John, I'd be seething.

Why?

[RoyalBlue]

Reading FC chairman and owner Rob Couhig has revealed that the Select Car Leasing Stadium will receive £5 million in improvements this summer.

Changes will also be made to the stadium’s advertising display technology. Couhig explained, "We're going to change out our LED boards around the side of the pitch they'll be bright they'll be crisp, one of the problems with the LED boards we have now they never go off even though they turn the lights off they continue to run so it costs us £10-20 thousand a month to run."

How the hell do they manage to do that?? Did Dai and Pang plug into the power supply to them before they left?

Am I right in thinking the stadium doesn't have any solar panels installed on the roof?

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

If I was Sir John, I'd be seething.

He shouldn't have sold us to a dodgy Russian based on the advice of a dodgy broker (Samuelson)...

SJM did very well from his ownership of Reading FC in terms of status and stature...

Modern football is what it is....

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Reading FC chairman and owner Rob Couhig has revealed that the Select Car Leasing Stadium will receive £5 million in improvements this summer.

Changes will also be made to the stadium’s advertising display technology. Couhig explained, "We're going to change out our LED boards around the side of the pitch they'll be bright they'll be crisp, one of the problems with the LED boards we have now they never go off even though they turn the lights off they continue to run so it costs us £10-20 thousand a month to run."

How the hell do they manage to do that?? Did Dai and Pang plug into the power supply to them before they left?

Am I right in thinking the stadium doesn't have any solar panels installed on the roof?

I may be mistaken but I don't believe any of the perimeter advertising technology was installed under the DY ownership.

Remember when DY was funding the club and had Chinese Billions at his disposal, mere details such as lighting costing £10/month meant nothing...

Solar panels aren't even a consideration when you're supposed to be a Billionaire...

[MR. CYNICAL]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

If I was Sir John, I'd be seething.

Why?

Because he was instrumental in building the place for the club?

[Dirk Gently]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

Not to me. I'd like some transparency so we know there's no complex chicanery going on. Because when the financial sh*t hits the fan the next time who actually owns things is a nice thing to have visibility of.

[Clyde1998]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

Not to me. I'd like some transparency so we know there's no complex chicanery going on. Because when the financial sh*t hits the fan the next time who actually owns things is a nice thing to have visibility of.

Same. Would want everything used by the club (stadium; training ground) to be owned directly by the club ideally, but simply knowing Couhig owns it via another company is adequate for now.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

Not to me. I'd like some transparency so we know there's no complex chicanery going on. Because when the financial sh*t hits the fan the next time who actually owns things is a nice thing to have visibility of.

Absolutely!

[Royal Ginger]

I wonder if they shouldn’t just unplug the led boards when not in use…

[PieEater]

Its probably all (legal) financial shannigans to optimise the tax efficiency of the set up...

Whilst part of the deal, I believe the Stadium is owned by a different offshore company...

Its all big boy financial smoke and mirrors which, if you are pumping in £1M to keep the lights on is fine with me...

Not to me. I'd like some transparency so we know there's no complex chicanery going on. Because when the financial sh*t hits the fan the next time who actually owns things is a nice thing to have visibility of.

Same. Would want everything used by the club (stadium; training ground) to be owned directly by the club ideally, but simply knowing Couhig owns it via another company is adequate for now.

IIRC Dai sold the stadium to himself to dodge the FFP restrictions, ie offset a huge loss by selling an asset.

Couhig bought the whole thing so I dont see why he kept the stadium and the club under different ownership, he could have merged them back together to give the chance to sell it to himself again later. There must be some other benefit to having the stadium asset separate and charging yourself rent, or maybe the EFL only let you pull this trick once regardless of ownership changes