AEG bid is attractive for future of Olympic Stadium

NEWS that AEG - the American sports marketing giant behind the o2 arena - is considering taking over London's Olympic stadium should be no surprise.

WHAT FUTURE: o2 arena operators AEG Europe have expressed an interest in operating the Olympic Stadium, post London 2012 (Getty Images)

Officials from the Olympic Park Legacy Company have made no secret that their success, just a few miles across east London, has been an inspiration, with chairman Baroness Margaret Ford working closely on the sale of the Dome to AEG as a government adviser.

Under the guidance of chief executive David Campbell, AEG Europe have transformed the once-maligned Dome into one of the world's top entertainment venues in less than three years.

An £800 million flop has finally come of age - and has the profits to show for it. It's a living, breathing and successful example of legacy in action that can be seen from the window of the OPLC's offices in Stratford.

Big name acts have flocked to the venue - which puts the tired and dated Wembley Arena and Earl's Court in the shade - although AEG's status as one of the world's leading event promoters has certainly helped attract the talent down the river.

But how AEG - which owns a number of venues in the United States - plans to use the Olympic Stadium remains unclear, although London 2012 organisers Locog insist a track and field legacy is vital to the business plan of any future operator.