FanDuel, New York, a daily fantasy sports website, has been sued by Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon, who is attempting to represent all National Football League (NFL) players in the lawsuit, according to Business Insider.
Garçon has accused FanDuel of making money by using player names and likenesses without proper authorization.
“I am bringing this lawsuit against FanDuel for using my name, image and likeness in both daily fantasy contests and through advertising on TV ads and infomercials,” Garcon says in a statement. “FanDuel has taken the liberty to engage in these actions without my consent and without proper licensing rights. As a result of these activities, FanDuel daily fantasy contests have shown increasing revenues leading to large profits. Therefore, on behalf of myself as well as any other players who are being treated unjustly, I chose to file a complaint.”
FanDuel may have an agreement with the NFL and other sports leagues to use content, but the lawsuit is based on the premise that the fantasy site has not signed any deals with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to use player likenesses.
FanDuel has come under fire recently, and earlier this month, a site participant accused it and rival site DraftKings of negligence, fraud and false advertising. DraftKings is not named in Garçon’s suit because it has a marketing and licensing agreement with the NFLPA.
FanDuel is valued at more than $1 billion, according to Business Insider. — J.B.