Premiership: Leeds United consider building new stadium

Leeds United are considering building a new stadium or expanding the club's current Elland Road ground.

The club's parent company Leeds Sporting says it has started a feasibility study into developing a new stadium somewhere else in the West Yorkshire city, or redeveloping the existing Elland Road ground to increase capacity.

The feasibility study will also look into ways of financing the new development, which may include extra sponsorship through stadium naming rights.

Peter Ridsdale, chairman of Leeds Sporting, says: "In order to continue to compete at the top of the Premier League and in Europe, it is important that we have the facilities to maximise match day demand and, thereby, enhance shareholder value.

"Included in the feasibility study will be a full consultation process involving our shareholders, the city council and our supporter base. "

Mr Ridsdale adds: "No final commitment will be made until this consultation process has been completed."

Last October, Leeds Sporting shelved plans for an indoor arena next to the Elland Road ground.

The company made the decision after reporting "significant softening" of the market for commercial leisure development in the Leeds area.

It said the scheme was unlikely to be good for shareholders and wrote off £1.2 m in connection with it.