Key facts
- New Jersey Assemblymember Mike Inganamort is urging Governor Sherrill's administration to seek a restraining order against FIFA.
- The proposed action aims to prevent FIFA from selling commemorative pieces of the World Cup field grass.
- Inganamort argues the sale is illegal and detrimental to New Jersey taxpayers.
- The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased the grass.
- Revenue from the sale will be shared, with the host committee expected to receive a larger portion than FIFA.
- A British company, KeepStub, will manufacture the keepsakes and receive the largest share of the revenue.
New Jersey Assemblymember Mike Inganamort has called on Governor Phil Murphy's administration to seek a restraining order to prevent FIFA from selling commemorative pieces of the World Cup field. Inganamort, a Republican, stated in a press release Friday that the sale is not only a bad deal for New Jersey taxpayers but also illegal. He urged the administration to use all available tools to stop FIFA from selling the grass, which begins at $450 on FIFA's website.
Last week, it was reported that the host committee and FIFA would share revenue from the grass sale. The publicly funded New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority purchased the field from a grower in North Carolina. The host committee, chaired by former first lady Tammy Murphy, helped fund World Cup events and offset some public costs for transportation and infrastructure.
While details of the agreement are limited, officials indicated the host committee would receive a larger share of the revenue than FIFA, which is receiving a cut for its licensing rights. Only about five yards of the approximately 115-yard field will be sold. The British company KeepStub, responsible for manufacturing the keepsake including its acrylic display box, will receive the largest portion of the revenue.
Governor Sherrill's spokesperson, Sean Higgins, stated that since New Jersey taxpayers funded the majority of the pitch's expense, they should share in any proceeds from the sale.