The report says the tournament has introduced mandatory water breaks, giving players two pauses during a 90-minute match when temperatures become dangerous. It also says more than one in four match days could bring extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 90F.
That comparison matters because football does not leave hydration to individual judgment. Breaks are built into match operations, with staff monitoring conditions and officials able to intervene. The system recognises that heat can affect concentration, decision-making and physical safety before a player visibly collapses.
The New Jersey bill would establish heat thresholds that trigger specific employer duties. Those measures reportedly include:
The report cites a rise of more than a third in New Jersey days above 90F since the 1940s and says roughly 700,000 workers face increased heat risk. It also describes workers spending up to 10 hours in hot, humid conditions without a guaranteed break - a sharper contrast with the protections available on a football pitch.
Supporters argue that football’s approach proves heat protection can be scheduled without making an operation unworkable. Business groups, the report says, remain concerned about cost and complexity.
The next step is the debate in Trenton. With matches continuing in New Jersey, lawmakers face a clear public test: whether protections considered essential for players should also become standard for the people working through the heat around them.