Updated
Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jul 18
New Jersey Lawmaker Urges FIFA Turf Sale Block Over $11.2 Million MetLife Plan
Updated
Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jul 18

New Jersey Lawmaker Urges FIFA Turf Sale Block Over $11.2 Million MetLife Plan

3 articles · Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jul 18

Summary

  • Assemblyman Michael Inganamort called on Gov. Mikie Sherrill to seek a temporary restraining order to stop FIFA from selling pieces of the World Cup final pitch used at MetLife Stadium.
  • The Republican lawmaker argues the grass is state-owned property because New Jersey taxpayers spent $13 million on stadium upgrades, including replacing artificial turf with grass, and the site operates under a state authority lease.
  • FIFA is marketing preserved sections of the field for $450 to $3,000 each, a program published reports say could raise as much as $11.2 million if all pieces sell.
  • Inganamort says any sale should follow state surplus-property rules and benefit New Jersey taxpayers, extending a broader dispute in which Sherrill's administration has already demanded a share of the proceeds.

Insights

As FIFA projects $11 billion in profit, are host cities facing a massive financial loss on the World Cup?
With millions at stake from souvenir turf, will New Jersey legally block FIFA's post-final sale?
FIFA demanded real grass for player safety. Will NFL teams now be forced to abandon artificial turf permanently?