If it’s a day ending in “y,” it must mean another lawsuit against daily fantasy sites. Sports Illustrated is reporting that two customers have filed a class action lawsuit in Florida that includes 50 companies and individuals that have invested or have interests in daily fantasy sites and yes, it names FanDuel and DraftKings.
Those named in the lawsuit according to SI.com include some heavy hitters:
- The National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball Ventures, National Hockey League Ventures and Major League Soccer
- The Kraft Group (owned by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft), Legends Hospitality (co-owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the New York Yankees), and MSG Sports and Entertainment (owned by New York Knicks owner James Dolan)
- Turner Sports, Time Warner, NBC Sports Comcast Ventures, 21st Century Fox and Fox Sports Interactive Media
- Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- J.P. Morgan, Capital One Bank, Google Capital, Piton Capital and Scottish Investment Bank
- PayPal, Paysafe and Vantiv (payment processors)
- DraftKings, FanDuel and Jason Robins
The lawsuit alleges that DraftKings and FanDuel engaged in illegal gambling and deceptive practices in Florida and under federal law. Plus the companies, financial institutions and leagues that invested in daily fantasy sites did not realize FanDuel and Draft Kings were engaging in illegal gambling. Thus, the lawsuit and the plantiffs’ attorney, Ervin Gonzalez, contend that his clients are owed money.
Should the lawsuit become class action, others would be able to join in. The suit puts MLB and NBA in its crosshairs and calls them hypocritical for embracing daily fantasy while taking anti-gambling stances. And it also goes after credit card companies for encouraging players to spend money and partnering with the daily fantasy sites.
Whether the lawsuit gains traction or is thrown out is the question, but at the same time, it’s another legal headache for DraftKings and FanDuel.
[SI.com]
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About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.