Josh Kushner said Thrive Capital would not have joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal had it known how the effort would unfold, while insisting the original idea was sound and would have been good for global soccer. The plan would have created an entity fully owned by FIFA’s 211 member associations to hold commercial aspects of competitions such as the World Cup, including television rights and ticket sales, with associations free to sell secondary shares to private investors after a member vote. Thrive agreed to be a lead, though not sole, investor in a potential $4.2 billion secondary share sale representing 20% of the entity at a $20 billion valuation, with JPMorgan advising. FIFA scrapped the plan before a vote after opposition from UEFA and Concacaf over outsider and private-equity influence; FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was reportedly fired after criticizing Infantino and the plan. UEFA is pursuing legal action and seeking to build a criminal case against Infantino, arguing the valuation was too low, and has asked a U.S. federal court to compel Thrive to produce valuation materials, deal communications such as term sheets, and the identities of other prospective investors. Thrive has retained Quinn Emanuel partner Alex Spiro and has not been accused of wrongdoing.