N.J.’s $7M Super Bowl tax rebate to NFL stirs anger
MAY 8, 2014, 3:58 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014, 11:01 PM
BY JOHN REITMEYER AND JOHN BRENNAN
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
Lawmakers coming to grips with an $807 million budget shortfall faced another head-scratcher Thursday: New Jersey’s tax giveback to the NFL, one of several big-ticket public costs to hosting the Super Bowl in the Meadowlands.
In the run-up to the game, Governor Christie highlighted the impact the Super Bowl would have on New Jersey, calling it “a major win for the state, its tourism and economic development.” The NFL has also argued the economic benefits of the game far outweigh the costs for the host state.
One of those costs for the host state this year was a $7.5 million sales tax rebate paid to the league. It’s a standard NFL requirement for hosting the Super Bowl – game tickets and parking must be exempted from state sales tax.
“Wow,” said Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, when he heard the state treasurer’s explanation for the payback.
Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, called the reimbursement “ludicrous,” saying the treasurers of every state should band together and all refuse to abide by the NFL’s tax requirement.
“Have the Super Bowl in the Ukraine next year,” Bucco said.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-s-7m-super-bowl-tax-rebate-to-nfl-stirs-anger-1.1012503#sthash.qxmuHPsV.dpuf
Did Ridgewood have to pay the NFL for copy write infringement?
Take away the NFL tax exemption and let us see how that goes.