MEMORANDUM

To: Interested Parties
From: Sacha Haworth
Re: Taking on Big Tech in the 2025 NYC Mayoral Race
Date: Nov. 5, 2025

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s FIFA campaign demonstrated how Democrats can weaponize Big Tech abuses on consumer issues, like AI-driven dynamic pricing, that directly affect voters’ daily lives, particularly younger voters. By focusing on real-world impact rather than abstract policy, he made tech regulation feel personal and immediate. His framing directly linked Big Tech with affordability: “This is part and parcel of a larger affordability crisis in this city. Once again, it will be working people who will be left behind.”

The message resonated because dynamic pricing has become ubiquitous and deeply unpopular. Polling shows 68% of American adults consider dynamic pricing to be price gouging, with the same percentage reporting they feel “taken advantage of” when brands use it. For young voters struggling with rent, groceries, and student debt, Mamdani’s illustration of the unfairness of being asked to pay $6,000 for a World Cup ticket, compared to $200 for the same ticket in 1994, crystallized how AI-driven algorithms are making life less affordable.

Notably, Mamdani’s critique targeted Big Tech practices rather than tech workers themselves. In fact, he has received attention for drawing significant support from young NYC tech workers, including 260 Google employees, 78 Meta employees, and 98 Amazon employees who have donated to his campaign.  

Key moments

• Mamdani launched his “Game Over Greed” petition on September 10th, calling on FIFA to end dynamic pricing for 2026 World Cup tickets, introduce a price cap on resales, and set aside 15% of tickets at discounted rates for tri-state area residents. The petition received thousands of signatures within days.
• In a social media explainer video, Mamdani laid out the fast-emerging problems associated with A.I.-driven dynamic pricing: “For the first time, FIFA is using dynamic pricing. They’re going to figure out, in real time, how much they can get away with charging for a ticket … So many of our neighbors will not be able to afford to be there. We will continue to see working people being priced out of the game that they love.” 
• At a press conference to announce the initiative, Mamdani said: “Pope John Paul II said, ‘Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important’ … This is part and parcel of a larger affordability crisis in this city. Once again, it will be working people who will be left behind.”

Read more

Zohran Mamdani calls on FIFA to abandon dynamic pricing plan for World Cup tickets (NYT, 9/10/25)
The petition, which Mamdani confirmed on Tuesday night on his social media platforms, says: “The FIFA World Cup is coming to New York City next year. It’s an incredible opportunity for economic growth and community spirit in our city — but only if working-class New Yorkers can actually attend the matches.

Big Tech workers top donations to Mamdani campaign in headache for Google, Meta (NY Post, 8/11/25)
Big Tech workers, including from Google and Meta, were among the biggest group of donors to Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign — creating a fresh headache for companies in the Big Apple … Rank-and-file Google employees donated nearly $40,500 to Mamdani’s campaign through July 11 — more than any other company or institution, according to NYC campaign finance data reviewed by The Post. Meta workers chipped in more than $10,500, ranking seventh on the list, followed by Amazon employees, who donated nearly $9,000.