Artist Sues for $25 Million After Mural is Painted Over Ahead of World Cup

An artist in Dallas has taken legal action, seeking $25 million, after his expansive mural featuring life-sized whales was painted over without his consent. Wyland, the creator of the mural, alleges that soccer’s international governing body and others unlawfully removed his work to promote the upcoming World Cup matches in the city.

The mural, crafted by Wyland, spanned about 17,000 square feet across two walls in downtown Dallas. For nearly 30 years, the artwork stood as a cherished local feature, advocating ocean conservation. Last month, workers began painting over it, eliciting public outcry from residents who valued its environmental message.

The local World Cup organizing committee stated that new art would replace Wyland’s mural, reflecting the global spirit and excitement of the World Cup 2026. They noted that part of Wyland’s mural would remain preserved.

Wyland filed his lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Dallas, accusing World Cup organizers, along with the building’s owner and management firm, of proceeding without his permission or notifying him. He claims their actions violated the Visual Artists Rights Act, a federal law from 1990 designed to safeguard publicly displayed works from destruction.

The lawsuit asserts that FIFA and others “hastily and irrevocably destroyed a civic landmark” to boost World Cup promotions. Wyland’s legal filing contends that, despite FIFA’s assertion of supporting host city art developments, they effectively defaced a historical city fixture.

A FIFA spokesperson, distancing the organization from the actions, mentioned no direct involvement, referring queries to the local organizing committee. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee declined to comment, and they are not listed as defendants in the case.

Slate Asset Management, overseeing the building in question, stated that local World Cup groups requested mural space for a new public art exhibit. They claimed ignorance of any communication failure with Wyland.

The mural, known as “Whaling Wall 82,” completed in 1999, is part of over 100 similar works globally by Wyland promoting ocean life conservation. As Dallas prepares to host more World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium than any site in the North American event, the mural’s removal has sparked a petition. Over 2,600 signatures urge for safeguarding public artworks in Dallas.

The lawsuit invokes the Visual Artists Rights Act, citing its precedent in a 2018 ruling when a judge ordered a New York property owner to compensate artists after their murals were destroyed.