When news broke about the World Cup coming to New Jersey, I was thrilled at the prospect of hosting such a prestigious event in our state. However, my excitement quickly turned to dismay when I learned about the secretive deals that would ultimately burden New Jersey taxpayers while benefiting FIFA. Why should an organization that is set to make billions of dollars from the event be given handouts at the expense of taxpayers? It’s not fair for New Jersey residents to agree to these deals that exempt sporting organizations from paying taxes.
It’s crucial for FIFA to pay their fair share and not rely on New Jersey taxpayers to foot the bill. Providing free public transportation to the event seems unnecessary, especially since other events and concerts have managed without it. MetLife Stadium has successfully hosted large crowds for various events, so there should be no need for additional accommodations at the expense of taxpayers.
I urge Governor Phil Murphy to reconsider these deals and think about their impact on New Jersey residents. With already high taxes, adding more burden to taxpayers for the benefit of FIFA is unjust. It’s essential that we hold organizations accountable and ensure they pay their fair share when hosting events like the World Cup.