(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) – author of a law restricting the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association’s ability to raise ticket prices – released the following statement Thursday on the agency’s continued effort to hike tickets prices by using pro and college sports facilities for high school sports finals:
“I have no problem whatsoever with playing games in marquee pro and college sports facilities, and understand the desire to do so for the enjoyment and excitement of student athletes and fans alike.
“But the issue here is and always will be the ticket prices and the NJSIAA’s constant efforts to increase them and make it difficult, if not impossible, for many New Jerseyans to attend high school sports, all so agency officials can continue to enjoy lavish salaries and perks.
“I laud Kean University and The College of New Jersey for offering their sites, but I see no reason to move games to places that don’t have the capacity and amenities of other facilities, other than it gives the NJSIAA a technical reason to seek a ticket prices increase.
“The NJSIAA continues to demonstrate a complete disregard for families and what they are going through financially. It’s simply wrong.
“It’s possible to find a way to play at marquee facilities and keep ticket prices in check, if the NJSIAA uses smart business acumen to find a way to do so.”