Overview
- George Kittle posted multiple messages from the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, urging the NFL to keep natural grass at stadiums that normally use artificial turf.
- Players and the NFLPA cite studies and player experience linking turf to higher rates of non-contact knee and ankle injuries and point to high-profile season-ending injuries at MetLife and other turf venues.
- Several U.S. World Cup host stadiums that use turf for NFL games installed temporary grass for the tournament, but venues including MetLife and Gillette are reported to be reverting to turf ahead of the NFL season.
- Owners and stadium operators say permanent conversions face upfront installation costs, ongoing maintenance and scheduling limits for multiuse or domed venues, with reported conversion estimates ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to over $1 million a year in colder climates.
- Because the league has not committed to a switch, players are turning the issue into a likely bargaining demand in the next collective-bargaining talks, making the World Cup grass a bargaining leverage point rather than an immediate policy change.