These two multi-billion companies are ruling the fantasy game. With countless commercials running everyday and even being highlighted during halftime and post games, it’s hard not to indulge. What about the employees of the companies and their ability to join in the fun? According to NY Daily News, one man doesn’t think its a fair playing field and decided to even it.
Fantasy football player Adam Johnson sued both FanDuel and DraftKings Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court, alleging that the companies had screwed participants by allowing employees with access to inside information to play the games at rival companies.
“In addition to years of data on optimal strategies, which gives Defendants’ employees a huge advantage over even the most ‘skilled’ (daily fantasy sports) players, Defendants’ employees also have real-time access to data on current lineups of every player in every contest, and the overall ownership percentages of every player,” the suit says.
Papers allege that DraftKings employees have won at least $6 million playing FanDuel — proof, it says, that employees have access to inside information.
Johnson deposited $100 at DraftKings before the allegations of insider trading surfaced — money he wouldn’t have spent had he known the deck was stacked against him, the suit says.
“All people want is a fair game. What has come out is that it’s clearly not a level playing field. If people knew there were insiders with access to the info they have they wouldn’t play on these sites,” Johnson’s attorney Jasper Ward said.
Ward said he believes the suit is the first of its kind.
Allegations of insider trading emerged in recent weeks when an employee of DraftKings mistakenly released data before the start of the third week of NFL games that provided an obvious advantage.
The employee won $350,000 at FanDuel the same week.