Mamdani's Affordable World Cup Jerseys Resold for Up to $999 Online
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released 1,500 affordable World Cup jerseys on Friday, priced at $50 each, as a budget-friendly alternative to expensive official FIFA gear. Shortly after their release, these New York City-themed jerseys appeared on online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Resellers listed the apparel at significantly higher prices, with some asking as much as $999.
On Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced a line of New York City-themed World Cup jerseys. Priced at $50, these jerseys were intended to be an affordable option for residents, contrasting with the higher cost of official FIFA merchandise.
Only 1,500 of the limited-edition jerseys were made available, leading to long queues outside the City of New York's official store. Mamdani stated in an Instagram post that the jerseys were "made by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers."
Hours after their initial sale, the jerseys began appearing on resale platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Sellers were listing the items for at least $400, with some asking prices reaching up to $999, a substantial increase from the original $50.
This incident aligns with Mamdani's broader push for affordability initiatives within New York City. His administration has focused on expanding affordable housing, proposed a pied-à-terre tax, and worked to make events more accessible.
Last September, Mamdani petitioned FIFA to lower ticket prices and criticized its dynamic pricing model and uncapped resale platform. Following negotiations with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in May, Mamdani secured 1,000 World Cup tickets for New Yorkers at $50 each. New York City and New Jersey are set to co-host matches for the upcoming tournament.
According to Business Insider, official FIFA jerseys can cost up to $375, with cheaper alternatives starting at $70.
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