Official USA Bid Book for 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup Submitted Today, Identifying NYC As Candidate

OFFICIAL USA BID BOOK FOR 2018 OR 2022 FIFA WORLD CUPTM SUBMITTED TODAY, IDENTIFYING NEW YORK CITY AS A CANDIDATE HOST CITY IN POTENTIAL US GAMES

New Yorkers Encouraged to Show Support through Online Petitioning to Ensure New York City is Selected as a Host City if US Wins Bid for World Cup

New York, NY (May 14, 2010)—The USA Bid Committee submitted its official bid book to FIFA today in an effort to become the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ host country, which would provide New York City/New Jersey the opportunity to host up to six of the 64 matches that would be held in several host cities across the United States. The bid book was submitted by the USA Bid Committee delegation in a formal ceremony at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

The submission of the official bid books begins a seven-month review process that will include site visits by FIFA Executive Committee members to each bidding nation, and culminate with the selection of the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups on December 2, 2010, in Zurich. If the United States wins the right to host one of the World Cups, the Bid Committee, in consultation with FIFA, will determine which of the 18 candidate cities will host matches. Local support through online petitioning among each city’s residents will play a role in that selection process. New Yorkers are encouraged to support our ability to host the games by signing the online petition at gousabid.com/city/local/ny-nj

“As New York City’s mayor, a City resident, a USA Bid Committee board member and a true soccer fan, it’s quite a thrill to think that New York City might have the opportunity to host FIFA World Cup matches in 2018 or 2022,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Our delegation has submitted a very impressive bid book today that touts our region’s state-of-the-art athletic facilities and world-class venues, and highlights the City’s pioneering sustainability initiatives. We wish them the best of luck today as they represent more than 90 million soccer fans across the United States.”

“For decades, New Jersey has been a world-class home for professional athletics and entertainment events. I could not be more excited for an opportunity to shine an international spotlight on our state and region as the host of the largest international sporting event in the world,” said Governor Chris Christie. “I commend the delegation for their work in the bid process and advocating on behalf of our region and soccer fans around the country, and look forward to making New Jersey and New York host to the thrill and excitement of the World Cup tournament.”

“New York City is not only the most popular destination in the United States for international visitors, but it is also one of the most visited cities in the world,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “The City boasts what is arguably the greatest concentration of world-class entertainment, attractions, cultural museums, dining and nightlife of any destination in the world. All this—plus a successful track record as host of a variety of large-scale, international events—makes New York City the perfect location for the FIFA World Cup games, and we’re honored to be a part of the official USA bid.“

The official FIFA World Cup matches would take place in the New Meadowlands Stadium, and together, New York City and New Jersey have identified potential base camps, training sites and a location for the FIFA Fan Fest. Additionally, another 44 hotels and venues have been identified as potential spaces for team accommodations and events. A study prepared by the Economics Research Associates (ERA) estimates that the total economic impact for any of the host cities would be between $397,000 and $594,000, and between 5,649 and 8,787 City residents would be employed.

Sustainability of the host country and its bid cities will also be a principal consideration in the selection process, and New York City’s practices will benefit the US bid significantly. New York City has one of the lowest per-capita carbon footprints of any major city in the world, and the lowest of any American city, with 6.4 metric tons of CO2e per capita. More than 55% of New York City commuters use mass transit, and the same percentage of City residents do not own cars.

Additionally, Mayor Bloomberg’s ambitious PlaNYC, which aims to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2017, has made major strides since its launch in 2008, with more than two-thirds of the 127 initiatives on time or ahead of schedule. Highlights of the progress made by PlaNYC include: 21 transit-oriented rezonings; 278,882 trees planted; 13,500 acres of land acquired to protect drinking water; 21% of yellow taxi fleet converted to hybrid vehicles and 260 energy-efficiency projects on municipal buildings are complete or in the pipeline.

Mayor Bloomberg serves on the board of directors for the USA Bid Committee, as do several other New York City residents, including film director and producer Spike Lee, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and US Soccer President and USA Bid Committee Chairman Sunil Gulati. Gulati joins fellow USA Bid Committee delegates, USA Bid Committee Executive Director David Downs, USA Bid Committee Managing Director John Kristick and US Men’s National Team captain Carlos Bocanegra to present the bid book to FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke in Zurich today.

The 18 cities chosen for inclusion in the official bid book to FIFA on May 14 are (alphabetically): Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, DC.

In 1994 the US hosted the FIFA World Cup, with seven matches played at Giants Stadium, including the semifinal match between Italy and Bulgaria. The 1994 World Cup established overall and average attendance records that still stand today. According to a study released by then-City Comptroller Alan Hevesi, the FIFA World Cup USA 1994 games had a direct economic impact of $99 million on New York City and a $199 million direct impact on the metropolitan region.

For more information on the bid, please visit gousabid.com.