The inaugural National Fantasy Football Convention was supposed to take place in Las Vegas a little later this month. However, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo – who was supposed to head the event – tweeted earlier today that it has been canceled.
NFL has canceled our fantasy football convention this year in Vegas and that is disappointing. I'm sad for the fans and players.
— Tony Romo (@tonyromo) June 6, 2015
It’s certainly a little strange that the event, which was announced in March, got the axe four days before it was supposed to kick off, especially one as massive as the National Fantasy Football Convention, which would have featured big names like Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Jamaal Charles. According to FOX Sports, the issue stems from the event’s location:
A source told FOX Sports that the league informed the NFL Players Association that the inaugural National Fantasy Football Convention slated for July 10 to 12 in Las Vegas would be in violation of NFL rules by being held at a casino property (the Sands Expo) even though there is no gambling at the center itself.
“Players and NFL personnel may not participate in promotional activities or other appearances at or in connection with events that are held at or sponsored by casinos,” an NFL spokesman said in an email statement to FOX Sports.
The NFL apparently went as far as to call the parents of some of the players and warn them that their sons could be suspended if they participated in the event, even though a source told FOX Sports that participation would probably only lead to a fine.
There are still plans to hold the event in 2016, where it is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.
(Via FOX Sports)
