FIFA President Issues $10 Billion Ultimatum Over World Cup Sale Plan
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to all 211 member associations offering a massive financial incentive to back his controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.
_PHOTO CREDIT: Dominik Bindl / Getty Images via SI.com / Getty Images
In a letter sent on Tuesday, Infantino described what he called a “singular and unique funding” opportunity. The plan is to create a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage the commercial rights — broadcasting, sponsorship, and ticketing — for the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.
FIFA would sell 20% of the new company to outside investors for $4.2 billion, valuing the entire entity at $20 billion. Reports indicate the investment is being led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, with involvement from J.P. Morgan.
In the letter, Infantino told FAs they have until September 19 to declare their position.
The financial terms laid out were stark:
• If they agree: Each member association would have access to up to $40 million for the next cycle starting Jan. 1, 2027. This would be split into a $20 million guaranteed payment and a $20 million one-off payment. In total, this creates a $10 billion package for members. • If they reject: Associations would retain only the previously planned expansion of the Forward development program, worth $2.7 billion in total, or about $10 million per FA.
“The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you,” Infantino wrote in the letter. “Should you wish to proceed this $10 billion package will become available as of Jan. 1, 2027”.
The proposal has sparked global backlash. UEFA said “the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade”, while England’s FA said it was “deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance,” and France, Concacaf and the AFC all said they learned of the plan through the media.
UEFA’s 55 members are now holding a crisis meeting to discuss a response, with some reports suggesting a boycott of future World Cups is being considered as a “nuclear option.”
SOURCE: Original reporting by The New York Times / The Athletic –