FIFA’s revenue-maximizing approach at this World Cup has drawn the ire of players, coaches, football federations, and now New Jersey taxpayers.
‘Cash grab’ is a phrase we have heard over and over during this tournament, and for good reason. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has waxed lyrical about the record-breaking revenue this tournament has generated — much of it from the pockets of matchgoing fans.
But even those with no interest in the World Cup are now set to lose out.
After Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina, the grass the tournament decider is played on will be sold off, and the money won’t be going back to those who footed the bill.
New Jersey governor criticizes FIFA and host committee over $11m windfall
The turf at the MetLife Stadium — or New York New Jersey Stadium, as it’s been temporarily renamed — has already been a subject of discussion in the media at this World Cup.
During the group stages, France defender William Saliba criticized the quality of the grass.
But it didn’t come cheap. According to The Athletic, an estimated $13.04 million was invested to ensure the quality of the pitch met FIFA’s standards.
Now, the governing body is selling small pieces of the turf on their website, with $11.2 million allegedly on the table if they sell out.
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill is responding as you would expect. Her spokesperson said: “As the Governor has said, New Jersey paid multiple millions for the total expense for the pitch at MetLife Stadium, so New Jersey taxpayers should share in any proceeds.”
That response has been echoed by politicians on both sides of the political aisle, with one Assemblyman going as far as to call the whole exercise “illegal” and urging the Sherrill administration to “use every tool at their disposal to stop FIFA.”
As for Infantino and FIFA, they answered the critics with a characteristically unconvincing explanation. They say that the money mostly goes to the NYNJ host committee.
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A FIFA spokesperson explained to The Athletic: “The turf sale initiative is a host city-led initiative, not a FIFA revenue driver as incorrectly reported in recent days.
“FIFA receives a nominal royalty fee (<5%) for use of its IP, but a larger share of the revenue generated by this program goes to the NYNJ Host City Committee.
“In addition, only approximately five yards of turf will be utilized for this program. Claims that FIFA stands to generate $11 million in revenue are categorically false.”
But that doesn’t really matter in the eyes of Sherrill and co. Whether it’s the committee or FIFA itself, the money is not going to New Jerseyans, even though their taxes paid for it in the first place.
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