Chicago is not hosting any World Cup matches <\/a>as games get underway. He said FIFA was to blame, citing negotiations that took place in 2018 while he was mayor.<\/p>\n“I believed this was a boondoggle for the taxpayers; that’s why I said no,” Emanuel said.<\/p>\n
He said FIFA wanted the city and taxpayers to shoulder all the financial risk while the organization reaped the rewards.<\/p>\n
“Because they wanted us to take us, being the city and the taxpayers, to take on all the financial risk, and they literally walk away with all the financial reward,” Emanuel said.<\/p>\n
Emanuel said talks ultimately collapsed over contract language that would have required a dome to be built over Soldier Field.<\/p>\n
“I said, ‘take it out.’ They said no. I said, ‘well, end of discussion then.’ I said, because you’re not leaving me with a $100 million liability on behalf of the taxpayers, not doing it now. I want to be clear. I hope the games are a success,” he said.<\/p>\n
Emanuel also discussed his political future after recently finishing a bike ride across New Hampshire and speaking with voters. Asked how serious he is about a possible presidential run, Emanuel responded, “I am very serious.”<\/p>\n
He said he is weighing whether he can help address what he described as broken middle-class foundations.<\/p>\n
“Do I have what it takes to help put that foundation back on solid ground to help the next generation?” Emanuel said. “Now do I have what it takes to answer that? That’s what I’m going to decide in the next six months.”<\/p>\n
As for his appearance court-side at a New York Knicks NBA Finals game, Emanuel said his brother, Ari Emanuel, bought the tickets and invited him. He added he would not have paid the asking price himself, amid reports that the tickets were outrageously expensive.<\/p>\n
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