Is it time for the Jets and Giants to return to New York? A $6 billion lawsuit says yes
Some are indifferent to injustice.
Others accept it — sadly — as the way of the world.
But the strong ones fight. And that's what Abdiell Suero, plaintiff of a $6 billion class action lawsuit against the NFL and other entities, filed on Jan. 3, is hoping we do.
He's hoping football fans, out in the five boroughs and beyond, share his simmering resentment. That they, too, have felt their gorge rise — as they were forced to travel to New Jersey to watch teams that have the effrontery to call themselves The New York Giants and The New York Jets.
That they, too, are willing to join his lawsuit to make these two iconic teams live up to their names.
Time, he says, for the Jets and Giants to return to New York. Failing that, they must renounce all pretended allegiance to the state of Niagara Falls, Billy Joel and pastrami on rye.
What Suero, and his attorney Evan Spencer, want to know is: Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?
“The Giants and Jets have no legal or ethical right to play in a stadium built on cheap landfills in New Jersey and still call themselves New York franchises,” Spencer said. “New York is a special state and an iconic brand that can’t be used by NFL New Jersey teams to increase their value."
The NFL has been sued before. Any organization worth upwards of $91 billion has been sued.
Concussions, racial bias, questionable ticketing practices have all had their day in court. But not until Tuesday, so far as is known, has anyone been prepared to legally argue that going to New Jersey is cruel and unusual punishment.
About time, perhaps.
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The damage, both logistical and psychological, has been extreme, Suero argues. So $6 billion is not unreasonable.
“I’ve traveled to and from MetLife Stadium by mass transit and car service and both ways are a nightmare,” he said in a written release. “It’s much easier and more fun to see the Knicks, Rangers, Yankees, Mets, or Nets who are in New York City. If the Giants and Jets want to call themselves New York teams they need to come back to New York.”
False advertising, deceptive practices, civil rights RICO violations are just some of what the lawsuit charges. Also unjust enrichment by the NFL, the New York Football Giants, Inc., the New York Jets, LLC, and MetLife Stadium Company, LLC.
These entities, they say, must compensate fans who have suffered the anguish of having to watch their team play home games in East Rutherford.
According to the language of the suit, Suero — a Greenwich Village resident — travels eight times longer to get to MetLife Stadium than he does to Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks and Rangers, four times longer than to get to Yankee Stadium and Barclays Center (Nets), and two times longer than to get to Citi Field (Mets).
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It can take him four hours to travel to New Jersey and back on game days — at which time, according to the suit, he's subjected to "a haphazard system of subways, trains, and buses, together with extensive periods of walking and stairs."
If Suero feels the pain, others must too. At least, his attorney hopes so. (Spencer, and the Giants, did not return requests for comment). He's looking for others to join the suit.
According to their release: "Any Giants or Jets fans, including current or former season ticket holders who want their teams to return to New York or who believe they have been damaged by the NFL, Giants, or Jets may contact attorney Evan Spencer for a free consultation."
Jim Beckerman is an entertainment and culture reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to his insightful reports about how you spend your leisure time, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: beckerman@northjersey.com
Twitter: @jimbeckerman1
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why do Giants play in New Jersey? Lawsuit wants teams in New York
