(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) released the following statement Tuesday on the NJSIAA’s decision to play title games on neutral sites, including moving the South Jersey sectional finals to Central Jersey at The College of New Jersey:
“There it goes again.
“The NJSIAA will apparently stop at nothing to find ways to hike ticket prices on New Jersey families and sports fans.
“The decision to move title games to neutral sites is simply an effort to make an end-run around the state law restricting the NJSIAA’s ability to increase ticket prices on hard-working New Jerseyans. It’s regrettable, but not just because of the ticket price hikes. It’s also a disruption to our communities.
“We will have South Jersey teams, for instance, playing title games far away from their home communities. That will force residents to travel far and wide to see these games at a time of high gas prices and other economic difficulties. Casual fans and those who cannot afford the trip will not go, and the intimacy and great atmosphere surrounding New Jersey high school football will be lost.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the NJSIAA needs to change its ways or else face the prospect of being merged into another organization that will protect taxpayers and communities.”