London taxpayers could be forced to shoulder an additional £2.5 million annually should West Ham United suffer relegation from the Premier League this season.
The financial burden stems from the club's lease arrangement for the London Stadium, which stipulates that rent payments are halved if the Hammers drop to the Championship.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has sounded the alarm over the potential impact on City Hall's finances.
"If West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to £2.5m a year," Khan stated.
West Ham's relegation could cost the London taxpayer up to £2.5million
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The East London club currently occupy 18th position in the table with just one match remaining.
Their fate could effectively be sealed on Tuesday should Tottenham, sitting two points above them with superior goal difference, secure even a draw against Chelsea.
The controversial lease arrangement traces its origins to the aftermath of the 2012 Olympic Games, when Boris Johnson, then serving as Mayor of London, secured the 99-year deal with West Ham shortly after the club had returned to the top flight.
Khan has been scathing in his assessment of his predecessor's negotiations.
"Boris Johnson did the worst deal imaginable, where as far as West Ham are concerned it's the deal of the century," he told the Standard.
West Ham stand on the brink of relegation after defeat to Newcastle on Sunday
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"He basically gave them rent free this amazing stadium for 100 years."
The agreement sees West Ham pay approximately £4.4 million in annual rent whilst competing in the Premier League, a sum that would be reduced to roughly £2.2 million following any relegation to the second tier.
London taxpayers already contribute towards the stadium's operational expenses, as the current rental income fails to cover stewarding costs.
Relegation would compound this financial strain considerably.
The Championship features a larger fixture list, meaning West Ham would host 23 matches next season compared to 19 in the Premier League, driving stewarding expenditure higher still.
Sir Sadiq Khan insisted relegation could cost the London taxpayer a huge amount
| PACommercial revenue generated by the venue would also likely diminish should the club find themselves in the second tier.
The Hammers retain two opportunities to escape the drop, facing Newcastle and Leeds in their remaining fixtures.
Tottenham, meanwhile, must navigate encounters with Chelsea and Everton.
Khan suggested that Londoners without allegiance to Spurs ought to be hoping West Ham survive the relegation battle this campaign.