New Jersey Restaurant Cancels Tommy DeVito Appearance After Giants QB Doubles Price, per Report
The New Jersey pizzeria apparently could no longer afford the suddenly famous quarterback.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito might be getting a bit too big for his britches.
DeVito, who took over the reins as the Giants’ starting QB after injuries knocked out Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor earlier this season, has become somewhat of a celebrity almost instantly, thanks to his effective play, large Italian family and iconic finger pinch celebration. Even DeVito’s agent, Sean Stellato, who looks like a character straight out of The Sopranos, has added to his fame.
But DeVito’s celebrity has come at a price—literally. A pizza restaurant in Morristown, N.J., which was planning an appearance for the Giants signal-caller, was forced to cancel the event after the price reportedly doubled, according to sports business reporter Darren Rovell on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Coniglio’s pizzeria and bakery in Morristown, NJ says that it will no longer have Tommy DeVito at the restaurant this Tuesday.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 18, 2023
They said they were told his fee increased from $10,000 to $20,000 after the Packers win and the family biz said they couldn’t afford it.
Rovell reports that Coniglio’s pizzeria and bakery, a family business located about 30 minutes away from DeVito’s hometown of Cedar Grove, N.J., was told that the fee has increased. However, Stellato claims the price was not raised because one was never agreed upon.
Tommy DeVito’s agent @seanstellato: “It’s a shame that the restaurant promoted that they would have Tommy when we didn’t have a signed contract. We didn’t raise the price because nothing was ever agreed to.” pic.twitter.com/CanIbk0GlA
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 18, 2023
Nino Coniglio, owner of the restaurant, responded by saying he agreed in principle to terms of the appearance, which could be seen in a message between the business owner and Stellato that was obtained by Rovell.
This isn’t the end.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 18, 2023
Coniglio’s owner Nino Coniglio on deal with DeVito.
“We agreed in principle to terms — 2 hours, 250 autographs and $10,000 and then the agent couldn’t be reached. He reached back out after Monday’s game to tell us the price was now $20,000.”
Contract… https://t.co/fBOFYqiIBi pic.twitter.com/JhZFBeAYSe
Apparently, the terms were for two hours of DeVito’s time and 250 autographs at a $10,000 price tag, as seen in the text message. But there was no contract signed.
Hopefully, DeVito, his agent and Coniglio can come to some sort of an agreement to remedy the situation.